AN: I know Chichi was kinda OOC, especially compared to what other authors
renditions of her. This is one of my favorite chapters I think, cause one
of my all time favorite guest characters (who barely ever appears in fan
fics) is going to be there. I just re-watched the episode of DBZ that
corresponds to this chapter so I'm gonna refer directly back to it.
SO ON WITH THE STORY
Chapter 7 The Troubles of Friends
Erasa, Sharpner, and Videl awoke the next morning to find Gohan and Chichi already up and finished with breakfast. Both had grim expressions on their faces, but while Chichi tried to hide her nervousness by bustling about doing frivolous cleaning, Gohan just sat at the table deep in thought. After they were feed and dressed the group gathered in the kitchen to go. Videl, Sharpner, and Erasa all wanted to bring large hiking packs but Gohan wouldn't allow it, saying so much weight would only slow them down. He did allow them to bring water canteens and a first aid kit though. With a quick good bye to Chichi they walked off into the forest, towards one of the last places Gohan ever wanted to go again.
The walk was a hard one, at least for Sharpner and Erasa, they were forced to stop much more often than Gohan would have liked because of Erasa's incessant whining and Sharpner's moans of pain. Throughout the entire walk Gohan was silent, he would only speak when necessary, and even then he wouldn't saw more than a few words. Videl and Erasa were worried about him, but they wisely held their tongues.
Finally, after two and a half hours of Sharpner's groaning and moaning and Erasa's complaining, they arrived at a small village hidden deep in the mountains, a village completely surrounded by a large wooden fence with only one entrance. There was a sign over the entrance to the village that read "Chazke Village". They had barely walked into the small village when person stepped in front of them and blocked their path.
"Who are you people and what is your business in this town?" The young girl who spoke was younger than the teens, although apparently not by much. She had a determined look on her face and her green eyes were ablaze with suspicion and warning to the strangers she perceived to be a threat to her home. Sharpner, Videl, and Erasa didn't know what to say to the girl, they just stood there, dumbfounded. The girl scanned the group's expressions, trying to determine their purpose, finally her eyes locked onto Gohan, standing behind the group, trying hard not to be noticed. She glared at him intently for a moment before speaking again, "Never mind, I know why you're here. Is this your idea of soon Gohan?"
Gohan blinked, trying to think of a reason that the girl would know him by name, and then it hit him, "LIME!?" Gohan looked at the girl before him. Her dark mahogany hair was now all the way down her back and was being held in one braid instead of the two she had when they had first met, but her eyes were the same, the same anger, the same determination, the same pride, they were the eyes of the young mischief maker that Gohan had befriended all those years before. "Wow Lime it is you. Sorry I haven't been by in a while but some things kinda came up."
"I know," Lime's glare softened and she bowed her head, "I saw it all on the television. By the way what happened to your hair last time I saw you ..." Gohan had clamped his hand over her mouth so she couldn't speak.
"Guys, this is Lime, she's an old friend of mine. Lime, these are my friends, Videl, Erasa, and Sharpner." Gohan let go of Lime's mouth and gave her a big hug so he could quietly whisper in her ear, "Don't say anything else about what happened back then, please. I'll explain later." Gohan pulled away from his friend and she smiled at him, embarrassed.
She looked at him for a moment before her smile faded into a look of startled sadness, "Gohan, it's really odd you choose today to visit, maybe it was fate, but you have to come with me. You have to come right now!"
"Why Lime, what's wrong?" Gohan looked at her again and noticed that tears were beginning to well up in her eyes.
"It's... It's Grandpa, he's... Please Gohan, I think he would want to see you again before he dies." Gohan stopped, shocked at what she had just said.
"Ok, guys do you want a little lunch before we start?" His friends eagerly agreed, famished by the long walk through the wilderness. The group set off for Mr. Lao's store in silence. When the arrived they found the place looked rather unkempt, like no one was living there anymore.
"I'm sorry for the mess but since Grandpa got sick I haven't been able to keep the store in shape by myself." Lime went and got some food for Gohan's friends. While they were eating Lime took Gohan back to see her grandfather.
"Mr. Lao? It's me Gohan." The elderly man was lying in his bed completely covered in a thick woolen blanket, yet he was shivering like it was freezing.
The man opened his eyes and spoke, "Gohan, you've changed a lot since you were last here. I want you to do me a favor Gohan; I would like you to look after Lime for me. I know you are strong enough to protect her and since her parents died..." Lime started screaming at him.
"No, Grandpa, you can't die... you just can't." She laid her head down next to him and continued crying.
"Please Lime. There is nothing anyone can do, not even senzu beans can heal me, I am old and there is nothing that can be done." Gohan looked at him in shock. *How does HE know about the senzu beans?*
"Don't look so surprised my boy. I have lived in these mountains all my life, from the moment you told me your name, Son Gohan, I knew you were a very special young man. You see, I was one of the associates of the great martial art's master, Gohan," Mr. Loa stated softly. Gohan was surprised by this revelation, but after a moment recognized it as the truth, Mr. Lao was a great martial artist, obviously one of the best at least among humans before the Z fighters came around, and Gohan had to have had some friends or students who were great martial artists before he found Goku stranded in the woods. "I knew you were destined for greatness Gohan, even before that little show of power seven years ago." Mr. Lao started coughing uncontrollably.
"Mr. Lao, I... I'm not a great warrior like you. I was just someone who did what I had to do. But, you have my word that Lime will be safe."
"I know she will be, you are the only person she has ever warmed up to, outside of her family that is. Take care." Lime was still crying on her grandfather's bed and didn't even listen as they spoke about her. After a few minutes Gohan took Lime by the shoulders and lead her out of the room. At the door they both turned and bid farewell to the kind old man, one last time. They solemnly walked back to the others, who had just finished eating. Lime silently took their plates and went to wash them. Gohan just plopped down onto a chair and buried his head in his hands.
"What's wrong Gohan?" Videl asked hesitantly.
"He's dead, Mr. Lao is dead." All three pairs of eyes widened in shock before lowering slowly to the ground in respect.
"I hate to ask you this, guys, but do you mind if I stay here while you go and talk to the villagers? I want to help Lime clean up this place; I don't think she should be alone. I'm probably the only friend she's got, and she needs a friend about now." They all nodded in silent agreement and stood up.
"We'll be back in a few hours, ok Gohan? Then we can head up to the site of the shelter."
"Ok, Lime knows the way and a little about the history of the shelter so she can probably be our guide." Everyone agreed at this and the three friends left to interview the villagers.
"Gohan," Lime walked up behind him a moment later, "What's gonna happen to me now?"
"Don't worry, I'll figure something out. Will you be alright?"
Lime nodded. "I knew this day was coming, he died with no regrets, I know he's in a better place now. It's hard, but I know he's gonna watch over me, he may be gone physically but his spirit will stay with me forever." Gohan smiled at her.
"What say you and me fix up this place a little and get some food?" Lime nodded and smiled at him deviously.
"After what I saw you do on TV, cleaning shouldn't be too hard. Oh, that reminds me, what happened to your hair?"
Gohan smiled again and suddenly turned Super Saiyan. "Is this better?"
"Much," she said as she handed him a broom. A second later the floor was dust free and everything on the shelves were straightened and organized. "Whoa! You're faster than I thought! That was so amazing." Gohan returned to his normal state and put the broom down.
"I can't stay in that from though. My friends don't know what happened at the Cell Games seven years ago. They think that Videl's father, Mr. Satan, beat Cell, and they don't know the identities of the other fighters, my friends and I, but they call us fakes so we don't want to reveal ourselves just to be ridiculed."
"I knew that he took credit for it," Lime shook her head in disgust, "but I didn't know that anyone actually believed him. I mean you and your father went so fast that no one could even see the fights. How is your dad anyway?"
"He's... he's dead." Lime gasped, Gohan decided to tell his story, his eyes to the ground. He told Lime everything that happened, everything that he had tried to forget for the past seven years. It took him twenty minutes to work his way through the story, "So you see, he died because of me. When I fought Cell I got too cocky, I wanted to make Cell suffer for all the pain he had caused, I didn't finish Cell off when I had the chance. My dad, he had to bail me out; he transported Cell off the planet to stop him from blowing it up. He died, and I failed."
"Gohan, that's not true. You are not a fighter; you're much too gentle. It goes against your nature to fight. Your father had to know you weren't a fighter, even if he didn't want to believe it. It wasn't your fault Gohan, it was Cell, it's entirely his fault, all of it. He killed my parents, he killed tons of other defenseless people, and HE killed your father!" Lime was yelling now, tears were once again flowing from her green eyes.
"Lime..." Gohan started, but stopped as he looked at her
She looked at Gohan, her eyes shining with tears, "IT WAS NOT YOUR FAULT! Just like there was nothing I could do to save my grandfather there was nothing else you could have done to stop Cell, except what you did do. You don't know what effects trying to kill Cell off earlier would have had; it could have made things worse for all you know. You survived as did the rest of the people of this world, and your father's spirit is still with you, watching over you, just as I know my grandfather and my parents are watching over me." Gohan smiled and nodded once. It had been a long time since he had spoken about the events of seven years ago, since everyone had only tried to tell him that it hadn't been his fault but never really explained to him why they thought so, as such he hadn't even remotely believed it; that is until right then. A few tears had escaped Lime's eyes and had created streaks down her cheeks. No tears were flowing now though as her eyes were closed as a look of relief spread across her face.
*She must have been saying that to convince herself of it just as much as she was trying to convince me,* Gohan thought as he watched Lime take sigh and open her eyes the tears beginning to silently flow once again, *I know she is in pain because of her grandfather's death even if she doesn't let it show. Maybe she just needed to say it out loud for once. She did have a point though, but how big of a point I just don't know yet.*
"Lime, I appreciate you trying to convince me of that, I really don't know how to thank you for listening to me when you've had such a bad day yourself. But what I can do is keep my promise to your grandfather," Lime looked at him curiously, wiping the tears from her eyes, "when I leave today you're coming with me, at least for a few days, we have a spare bedroom... or at least we will once my friends leave this afternoon. It won't be permanent..."
"Alright Gohan," Lime smiled slightly, "I'll come stay with you under one condition, you have to tell me why you're here." Gohan hit his hand up against his head.
"I almost forgot about that. We're here on a school project, a project about Cell; we have to do research on the shelter. Lime, you have to help me with this. Does anyone remember who I am?"
Lime took a moment to ponder the question before responding, "Well most of the villagers watched the Cell Games and they many thought that they had recognized you. Grandpa and I were they only one who remembered your name though. Everyone else was in shock from seeing you blow up the shelter like you did and so the details of your little speech were kinda fogged over." Lime giggled.
"Ok, so I guess they'll know one of the "mysterious fighters" from the Cell Games was here, but they can't know it was me, ok?"
"Sure Gohan. Actually, why don't I offer to take you all on a tour of the shelter, or what's left of it."
Gohan smiled deviously, "I was counting on you saying that."
"I was thinking; it's really odd that YOU of all people would get stuck with this assignment." Gohan sighed heavily, and began to tell her about their new enemy. He even told her about Dende's kidnapping, even though it was against the kidnapper's wishes, but Gohan knew he could trust Lime. She wouldn't be able to do anything to help anyway, so it didn't matter really.
"You mean to tell me that KAMI, an alien who just happens to be one of your best friends, has been KIDNAPPED? So... you're going after him aren't you?" Gohan nodded, "You'd better be careful, I mean what kind of super villain tells you where to find him? Isn't that kinda stupid?"
"That's exactly what I was thinking; I'm hoping that this guy is just really dumb and didn't think, and not really strong and cocky about it."
Lime laughed, "I know what you mean, but how often do you find an evil idiot, they're always evil geniuses. But, then again, I guess we are way overdue to be taken over by a weak, idiotic moron with no brains or strength, just some luck." Gohan and Lime finished cleaning the store, waiting for the others to return. They talked about everything they could think of, from the events of the past seven years, to what they want to do with the rest of their lives. After they had finished cleaning and eating, they decided to look for the others. Gohan and Lime looked all around the village but couldn't find the teens anywhere. They were defiantly getting worried.
Finally, Lime spoke up with an idea, "Gohan, maybe someone told them about Mr. Bourbon. He still lives a ways outside of the town and, get this, the house is made of parts of the shelter. All his money was inside the shelter, and after you destroyed it he was left completely broke. So he lives in a shack." The two of them looked at each other for only a moment before they peeled over laughing. "Come on let's go check it out Gohan."
It took them only a few minutes to get to the heap of scrap metal the Mr. Bourbon was forced to call his home. There they found Videl, Sharpner, and Erasa talking to the man. "He had these evil green eyes and his hair looked like it was on fire." Mr. Bourbon was shaking as he described the mysterious child to the three teens. "I swear he was a demon from the underworld, he blew up my shelter with just a flash of light." He was on the verge of tears at this point, just the thought of that boy was traumatizing to him.
"He was not a demon you stupid old man! He was a hero, he saved everyone from you and from Cell!" Lime yelled, causing the three teens to turn around and see their friend coming up to meet them.
"That's only because you were a friend of his. Even the world's greatest mercenary, General Tao was scared to death of that 'child'. I mean he could FLY, that fact alone tells you that there was something not right about that boy." Lime stuck her tongue out at the aging man and he stormed off.
"Did you guys find the information we need?"
"I think so, everyone who was here back then remembers THAT day. Apparently about eight days before the Cell Games a boy showed up in the village. He destroyed the shelter and told everyone that if he could do that to the shelter then 'imagine what Cell could have done'. Unfortunately, no one remembers his name." Videl seemed angry about this, almost as if the boy's name was the most important fact.
"Heh," Gohan did the Son smile, "I think we should head up to the site of the shelter now. We still have to walk home and it's already two thirty, you guys defiantly don't want to be in these woods after dark." Gohan smiled and lead them back to where Lime was standing. The group then headed off up a hill to see where the shelter once stood. *Wow, Gohan's mood has done a complete one-eighty. He seems a lot happier, actually this is the best mood I've seen him in, in days.* Videl looked at her friend as her talked to Lime jovially. *It must be that stupid girl... How do they know each other anyway? Is SHE why he knew the way to this village?*
"Ok, we're here," Lime finally exclaimed. Sharpner, Videl, and Erasa stared at the sight before them. There was an extremely large crater full of rubble in front of them. "We haven't touched this place in seven years. The villagers decided not to remove this pile of junk because they were so grateful to the boy."
"Mr. Bourbon said you were friends with him." Lime nodded, smiling to herself. "So tell us, who was he?"
Lime turned to face Videl, "I can't tell you that. You see, the boy, he... if he wanted to be known he would have come forward after the Cell games. I won't tell anyone who he is, not even you." Videl opened her mouth to complain, "I know that you would not do anything to endanger his privacy, but it is not my decision, it is not my life, so therefore his identity is not my secret to reveal." Lime turned back around and smiled so that only Gohan could see.
"Sharpner go get some pictures," Videl ordered, annoyed, "Wait a sec Lime, did you just say 'he would have come forward after the Cell games'? Does that mean he really was the boy who fought Cell?" *If he's the kid from the Cell Games that means that this 'demon kid' is probably the Gold Fighter too!* Lime looked at Gohan for guidance. He gave her a small smile as a sign of approval.
"Yes, it was the same boy. I know that he doesn't want to be found, so please Videl, just drop this." Videl glared at the girl but Lime didn't seem to care. "Well I guess you should know all about this shelter, but why don't I tell you all about it on the way back to Gohan's house."
Videl looked shocked, "You're coming back with us?" Lime nodded happily.
"I need a place to stay for a little while so Gohan said I could stay with him. My parents were killed by Cell when he attacked our village nine years ago, (AN: I'm making this number up. Lime looked a lot younger when they show Cell attacking, so I'm saying that it was about two years before Gohan showed up.) and now that my grandpa is dead I have no one left." Lime was on the verge of tears now. "So Gohan is gonna let me stay with him for a little while until I find somewhere else to go."
"Guys," Gohan started, looking worriedly at Lime, "I think we should get going, it's gonna be getting dark soon." Sharpner finished his picture taking and rejoined Gohan, Videl, Erasa, and Lime. The five teens then walked off into the woods, heading back to Gohan's house.
"So Lime how did you and Gohan meet exactly?" Videl asked trying to make small talk as they continued their journey through the woods.
Lime glanced at Gohan quickly before answering, "Well the first time we met I thought he was a horribly vulgar little boy, but after I thought about it for a little while all he really did was save my life." Videl looked a little confused at the statement but didn't say anything; unfortunately she was the only one who did remain quiet.
"He saved your life? How? When?"
"How could a geeky little kid like him manage to save anyone from anything?"
Lime looked at them bemused, "I fell into the river and would've drowned if Gohan hadn't been there. He pulled me out of the water and later on he saved my grandfather by stopping this strange guy from shooting him." Videl looked over at Gohan curiously, *Huh, I wonder how he managed to pull that one off...*
Gohan smiled nervously, "It was nothing really, I was just in the right place at the right time, it was all just luck." Videl was still staring at Gohan, *He's hiding something... this guy's the worst liar I've ever met, although the girl seems to be a really good liar, if I weren't a pro then I wouldn't be able to tell at all. Such an odd contrast, but what are they hiding and why are they hiding it... Does it have something to do with the shelter that was destroyed here, and the identity of the people at the Cell Games as well?*
"What are you hiding Gohan?" Videl asked him quietly a few minutes later. Sharpner and Erasa were beginning to lag behind and Lim had run ahead down the path, so they were all alone.
Gohan looked skyward as they walked thru the trees, the gentle wind causing the branches to sway gently, "What everyone hides Videl, my true self..." Videl looked at him once again.
"I mean besides that Gohan, you're a horrible liar an there was something more to that 'he saved my life' story that that child spoke of."
Gohan stopped dead in his tracks glaring at Videl, "She's not a child Videl, she's only a year younger than you are. She may look young but that's only because she has such a pure heart. She is no more a child then you are and I would appreciate you not insulting my friends like that." Videl rolled her eyes.
"She, on he other hand is an excellent liar, so how can she be 'pure hearted' if she lies that well?"
"Lime," Gohan stated simply as he began to walk again, "only lies to protect the people she cares about. She has been forced into the same horrible habit as most people today have; she's been forced to lie. Though unlike most, she has maintained her innocence because she only does what she has to do to protect the ones she cares for; there is no cause nobler than that." Gohan looked at Videl only to find her staring at the floor deep in thought. He was about to say something to her when a high pitched scream split through the air. Gohan and Videl both took off towards the sound as fast as they could run in the dense foliage of the forest.
Gohan arrived on the scene first, well ahead of Videl (much to her surprise). When he got to the edge of the tree line he noticed the problem, there was nothing beyond the tree line, nothing but a fifty foot drop into a raging river. If he had not grabbed the tree when he did he would have toppled of the edge. He was looking over the edge as Videl arrived on the scene.
"What are you just standing there for keep going!" Videl yelled as she ran up to Gohan, and past him. She screamed as she realized that there was nothing underneath her and she began to plummet to the ground. She was about to scream again as she realized she had stopped falling she looked up and found herself staring into two black pools. She squeezed her eyes shut; gasping for air, as she realized that she was being pulled back up. She didn't open them again until she felt herself being placed gently on the ground. The moment she put her weight on her legs she began to collapse to the forest floor, only to find her decent once again stopped by Gohan.
"Pull yourself together Videl, I thought you were supposed to be the second strongest human on the planet." Videl opened looked up from the ground that she had been staring at since her feet had hit it and found herself extremely close to Gohan's face. She blinked a few times before realizing who it was that was holding her. She pushed him away a hard as she could but instead of him moving away from her, she found herself moving back from him. She bumped into a tree and sank to the ground.
"What the hell just happened??"
"Well you just ran off of a cliff, you probably would have died if I hadn't caught you." Videl just sat on the ground with a blank look on her face. Gohan gave an exasperated sigh, "Then when I got you back up here you almost collapsed on me, so I tried to steady you but then you pushed back into the tree and ended up on the ground anyway, then I began this pointless explanation. Now can I stop?"
"Sorry about that, I don't think I've ever fallen like that, I mean jumping down a story or two is one thing but that drop would've killed me... thank you..." Videl said as she got to her feet.
"If you two are done with your little chat, do you mind helping me Gohan?" Videl jumped at the sound of the voice, she looked around to find the source before once again (cautiously this time though) approaching the cliff edge. She looked down, and there sitting on a small ledge was Lime staring up at the two of them looking highly annoyed.
"Yeah, hold on a sec," Gohan said with a slight smile before promptly beginning to climb down the side of the cliff. Videl just looked at him, shocked that he was so graceful and accurate in his movements down the wall. "Next time," Gohan said softly as Lime climbed on to his back, "You may not be so lucky, you should watch where you're going in these mountains."
Lime and Gohan arrived back at the top just as Erasa and Sharpner arrived. "Oh," Erasa almost shrieked, "what happened?"
"I fell off a cliff." Lime stated as she brushed all the dust off of her clothes. "Then Videl tried to imitate me and fell off too. I think I've lost count of how many times you've saved someone, or everyone, Gohan." Lime smiled at the other teens. "Well that was a great adventure, let's never do it again..." Gohan laughed softly and the group continued on its way.
*He saved my life... I can't believe I almost did that, what a great way to die. I wish I could fly the way Saiyaman does, I wouldn't have been so scared if I knew how to do that, even if it is some kind of trick, it may have able to save me, without Gohan's help. How did he lift me anyway? My weight is all muscle, how could he lift me?* They trekked for another two hours, returning to Gohan's house after dark, much later then they expected.
"Gohan, you're back!" Bulma exclaimed. "I decided to give you a break and take your friends home with me, it'll save you the trip back."
"Yeah Gohan, and Trunks is gonna stay here and train with me for a little while. Do you wanna come too?"
"Sorry squirt, I've got something that I have to do." Gohan motioned to Lime.
"Oh, who's she Gohan?" Goten was staring at Lime, wide eyed.
"Hello, my name is Lime, and you must be Goten." Goten nodded happily. "Wow, you look just like Gohan did when I first met him, but then again you look a lot like your father as well."
"You knew my dad?"
"I met him once, a long time ago."
"I never got to meet him, he died before I was born." Lime smiled at him trying to cheer him up.
"You will meet him one day, I know it," she said kindly. Goten nodded, happy and carefree once again. He and Trunks bid farewell to everyone and ran outside to play. Chichi emerged from the kitchen and put some food on the table for the famished teens. When they finished Videl, Erasa, and Sharpner went and gathered their things. They thanked Chichi for her hospitality.
"I'll put everything together Gohan, don't worry, all that saving people must have exhausted you." Erasa smiled, "Have a good weekend, see you in school on Monday." Gohan nodded sadly. *I won't be in school on Monday Erasa, I may never be in school again, I'm going back into space.* Videl, Sharpner and Erasa waved good-bye to Gohan and Lime and stepped into the capsule copter.
Bulma walked up and hugged Gohan whispering in his ear, "We had a problem at Capsule Corp last night, and Piccolo says Dende never returned from his visit here. Come by later, the old gang is gathering, I'll explain everything then." She let go of him and he nodded solemnly in agreement. She stepped into the copter and took off towards Satan City. *If only you knew how much trouble you had Bulma.* Gohan turned back to Lime who looked as worried as Gohan, she also knew what had happened to Dende and they could guess who was behind the troubles at CC. They walked back into the house in silent thought.
RANDOM FACT: The manga and anime of DBZ are very different in some respects. For example filler episodes like Goku and Piccolo going for their driver's licenses, Gohan visiting Lime's village and the other pre Cell Games adventures never happened in the manga. The manga though explains the disappearance of Launch, something the anime does not go into (at least in the English dub), her disappearance is explained by saying that she went off chasing after Tien, although in reality Akira Toriyama said he just kinda forgot about her...
AN: Hehe, what's Gohan gonna do? He has to hide the truth from his friends. Don't hurt me for killing off Lime's grandfather, I needed a reason for Lime to come and stay with Gohan and make Videl jealous. I am trying to stick to the major world and character limitations set down by the great Akira Toriyama, so I try to keep things the same, Saiyans don't bond telepathically, and tails don't magically grow back after so many years (I know some of you disagree but oh well). I know that I have changed a few things like Piccolo and the memory erasing thing, and Chichi being a little more mellow (sorry bout that but I really liked Chichi in DB and I hate how her character is displayed as a screaming bitch in DBZ, so I mellowed her a little). The only other change is the location of CC, it's really in West City I know but I decided that they have a "winter home/ summer home" thing going on so they spend a few months in Satan City and then return to their real home in West City, is that ok with everyone? Now REVIEW!!!!
Chapter 7 The Troubles of Friends
Erasa, Sharpner, and Videl awoke the next morning to find Gohan and Chichi already up and finished with breakfast. Both had grim expressions on their faces, but while Chichi tried to hide her nervousness by bustling about doing frivolous cleaning, Gohan just sat at the table deep in thought. After they were feed and dressed the group gathered in the kitchen to go. Videl, Sharpner, and Erasa all wanted to bring large hiking packs but Gohan wouldn't allow it, saying so much weight would only slow them down. He did allow them to bring water canteens and a first aid kit though. With a quick good bye to Chichi they walked off into the forest, towards one of the last places Gohan ever wanted to go again.
The walk was a hard one, at least for Sharpner and Erasa, they were forced to stop much more often than Gohan would have liked because of Erasa's incessant whining and Sharpner's moans of pain. Throughout the entire walk Gohan was silent, he would only speak when necessary, and even then he wouldn't saw more than a few words. Videl and Erasa were worried about him, but they wisely held their tongues.
Finally, after two and a half hours of Sharpner's groaning and moaning and Erasa's complaining, they arrived at a small village hidden deep in the mountains, a village completely surrounded by a large wooden fence with only one entrance. There was a sign over the entrance to the village that read "Chazke Village". They had barely walked into the small village when person stepped in front of them and blocked their path.
"Who are you people and what is your business in this town?" The young girl who spoke was younger than the teens, although apparently not by much. She had a determined look on her face and her green eyes were ablaze with suspicion and warning to the strangers she perceived to be a threat to her home. Sharpner, Videl, and Erasa didn't know what to say to the girl, they just stood there, dumbfounded. The girl scanned the group's expressions, trying to determine their purpose, finally her eyes locked onto Gohan, standing behind the group, trying hard not to be noticed. She glared at him intently for a moment before speaking again, "Never mind, I know why you're here. Is this your idea of soon Gohan?"
Gohan blinked, trying to think of a reason that the girl would know him by name, and then it hit him, "LIME!?" Gohan looked at the girl before him. Her dark mahogany hair was now all the way down her back and was being held in one braid instead of the two she had when they had first met, but her eyes were the same, the same anger, the same determination, the same pride, they were the eyes of the young mischief maker that Gohan had befriended all those years before. "Wow Lime it is you. Sorry I haven't been by in a while but some things kinda came up."
"I know," Lime's glare softened and she bowed her head, "I saw it all on the television. By the way what happened to your hair last time I saw you ..." Gohan had clamped his hand over her mouth so she couldn't speak.
"Guys, this is Lime, she's an old friend of mine. Lime, these are my friends, Videl, Erasa, and Sharpner." Gohan let go of Lime's mouth and gave her a big hug so he could quietly whisper in her ear, "Don't say anything else about what happened back then, please. I'll explain later." Gohan pulled away from his friend and she smiled at him, embarrassed.
She looked at him for a moment before her smile faded into a look of startled sadness, "Gohan, it's really odd you choose today to visit, maybe it was fate, but you have to come with me. You have to come right now!"
"Why Lime, what's wrong?" Gohan looked at her again and noticed that tears were beginning to well up in her eyes.
"It's... It's Grandpa, he's... Please Gohan, I think he would want to see you again before he dies." Gohan stopped, shocked at what she had just said.
"Ok, guys do you want a little lunch before we start?" His friends eagerly agreed, famished by the long walk through the wilderness. The group set off for Mr. Lao's store in silence. When the arrived they found the place looked rather unkempt, like no one was living there anymore.
"I'm sorry for the mess but since Grandpa got sick I haven't been able to keep the store in shape by myself." Lime went and got some food for Gohan's friends. While they were eating Lime took Gohan back to see her grandfather.
"Mr. Lao? It's me Gohan." The elderly man was lying in his bed completely covered in a thick woolen blanket, yet he was shivering like it was freezing.
The man opened his eyes and spoke, "Gohan, you've changed a lot since you were last here. I want you to do me a favor Gohan; I would like you to look after Lime for me. I know you are strong enough to protect her and since her parents died..." Lime started screaming at him.
"No, Grandpa, you can't die... you just can't." She laid her head down next to him and continued crying.
"Please Lime. There is nothing anyone can do, not even senzu beans can heal me, I am old and there is nothing that can be done." Gohan looked at him in shock. *How does HE know about the senzu beans?*
"Don't look so surprised my boy. I have lived in these mountains all my life, from the moment you told me your name, Son Gohan, I knew you were a very special young man. You see, I was one of the associates of the great martial art's master, Gohan," Mr. Loa stated softly. Gohan was surprised by this revelation, but after a moment recognized it as the truth, Mr. Lao was a great martial artist, obviously one of the best at least among humans before the Z fighters came around, and Gohan had to have had some friends or students who were great martial artists before he found Goku stranded in the woods. "I knew you were destined for greatness Gohan, even before that little show of power seven years ago." Mr. Lao started coughing uncontrollably.
"Mr. Lao, I... I'm not a great warrior like you. I was just someone who did what I had to do. But, you have my word that Lime will be safe."
"I know she will be, you are the only person she has ever warmed up to, outside of her family that is. Take care." Lime was still crying on her grandfather's bed and didn't even listen as they spoke about her. After a few minutes Gohan took Lime by the shoulders and lead her out of the room. At the door they both turned and bid farewell to the kind old man, one last time. They solemnly walked back to the others, who had just finished eating. Lime silently took their plates and went to wash them. Gohan just plopped down onto a chair and buried his head in his hands.
"What's wrong Gohan?" Videl asked hesitantly.
"He's dead, Mr. Lao is dead." All three pairs of eyes widened in shock before lowering slowly to the ground in respect.
"I hate to ask you this, guys, but do you mind if I stay here while you go and talk to the villagers? I want to help Lime clean up this place; I don't think she should be alone. I'm probably the only friend she's got, and she needs a friend about now." They all nodded in silent agreement and stood up.
"We'll be back in a few hours, ok Gohan? Then we can head up to the site of the shelter."
"Ok, Lime knows the way and a little about the history of the shelter so she can probably be our guide." Everyone agreed at this and the three friends left to interview the villagers.
"Gohan," Lime walked up behind him a moment later, "What's gonna happen to me now?"
"Don't worry, I'll figure something out. Will you be alright?"
Lime nodded. "I knew this day was coming, he died with no regrets, I know he's in a better place now. It's hard, but I know he's gonna watch over me, he may be gone physically but his spirit will stay with me forever." Gohan smiled at her.
"What say you and me fix up this place a little and get some food?" Lime nodded and smiled at him deviously.
"After what I saw you do on TV, cleaning shouldn't be too hard. Oh, that reminds me, what happened to your hair?"
Gohan smiled again and suddenly turned Super Saiyan. "Is this better?"
"Much," she said as she handed him a broom. A second later the floor was dust free and everything on the shelves were straightened and organized. "Whoa! You're faster than I thought! That was so amazing." Gohan returned to his normal state and put the broom down.
"I can't stay in that from though. My friends don't know what happened at the Cell Games seven years ago. They think that Videl's father, Mr. Satan, beat Cell, and they don't know the identities of the other fighters, my friends and I, but they call us fakes so we don't want to reveal ourselves just to be ridiculed."
"I knew that he took credit for it," Lime shook her head in disgust, "but I didn't know that anyone actually believed him. I mean you and your father went so fast that no one could even see the fights. How is your dad anyway?"
"He's... he's dead." Lime gasped, Gohan decided to tell his story, his eyes to the ground. He told Lime everything that happened, everything that he had tried to forget for the past seven years. It took him twenty minutes to work his way through the story, "So you see, he died because of me. When I fought Cell I got too cocky, I wanted to make Cell suffer for all the pain he had caused, I didn't finish Cell off when I had the chance. My dad, he had to bail me out; he transported Cell off the planet to stop him from blowing it up. He died, and I failed."
"Gohan, that's not true. You are not a fighter; you're much too gentle. It goes against your nature to fight. Your father had to know you weren't a fighter, even if he didn't want to believe it. It wasn't your fault Gohan, it was Cell, it's entirely his fault, all of it. He killed my parents, he killed tons of other defenseless people, and HE killed your father!" Lime was yelling now, tears were once again flowing from her green eyes.
"Lime..." Gohan started, but stopped as he looked at her
She looked at Gohan, her eyes shining with tears, "IT WAS NOT YOUR FAULT! Just like there was nothing I could do to save my grandfather there was nothing else you could have done to stop Cell, except what you did do. You don't know what effects trying to kill Cell off earlier would have had; it could have made things worse for all you know. You survived as did the rest of the people of this world, and your father's spirit is still with you, watching over you, just as I know my grandfather and my parents are watching over me." Gohan smiled and nodded once. It had been a long time since he had spoken about the events of seven years ago, since everyone had only tried to tell him that it hadn't been his fault but never really explained to him why they thought so, as such he hadn't even remotely believed it; that is until right then. A few tears had escaped Lime's eyes and had created streaks down her cheeks. No tears were flowing now though as her eyes were closed as a look of relief spread across her face.
*She must have been saying that to convince herself of it just as much as she was trying to convince me,* Gohan thought as he watched Lime take sigh and open her eyes the tears beginning to silently flow once again, *I know she is in pain because of her grandfather's death even if she doesn't let it show. Maybe she just needed to say it out loud for once. She did have a point though, but how big of a point I just don't know yet.*
"Lime, I appreciate you trying to convince me of that, I really don't know how to thank you for listening to me when you've had such a bad day yourself. But what I can do is keep my promise to your grandfather," Lime looked at him curiously, wiping the tears from her eyes, "when I leave today you're coming with me, at least for a few days, we have a spare bedroom... or at least we will once my friends leave this afternoon. It won't be permanent..."
"Alright Gohan," Lime smiled slightly, "I'll come stay with you under one condition, you have to tell me why you're here." Gohan hit his hand up against his head.
"I almost forgot about that. We're here on a school project, a project about Cell; we have to do research on the shelter. Lime, you have to help me with this. Does anyone remember who I am?"
Lime took a moment to ponder the question before responding, "Well most of the villagers watched the Cell Games and they many thought that they had recognized you. Grandpa and I were they only one who remembered your name though. Everyone else was in shock from seeing you blow up the shelter like you did and so the details of your little speech were kinda fogged over." Lime giggled.
"Ok, so I guess they'll know one of the "mysterious fighters" from the Cell Games was here, but they can't know it was me, ok?"
"Sure Gohan. Actually, why don't I offer to take you all on a tour of the shelter, or what's left of it."
Gohan smiled deviously, "I was counting on you saying that."
"I was thinking; it's really odd that YOU of all people would get stuck with this assignment." Gohan sighed heavily, and began to tell her about their new enemy. He even told her about Dende's kidnapping, even though it was against the kidnapper's wishes, but Gohan knew he could trust Lime. She wouldn't be able to do anything to help anyway, so it didn't matter really.
"You mean to tell me that KAMI, an alien who just happens to be one of your best friends, has been KIDNAPPED? So... you're going after him aren't you?" Gohan nodded, "You'd better be careful, I mean what kind of super villain tells you where to find him? Isn't that kinda stupid?"
"That's exactly what I was thinking; I'm hoping that this guy is just really dumb and didn't think, and not really strong and cocky about it."
Lime laughed, "I know what you mean, but how often do you find an evil idiot, they're always evil geniuses. But, then again, I guess we are way overdue to be taken over by a weak, idiotic moron with no brains or strength, just some luck." Gohan and Lime finished cleaning the store, waiting for the others to return. They talked about everything they could think of, from the events of the past seven years, to what they want to do with the rest of their lives. After they had finished cleaning and eating, they decided to look for the others. Gohan and Lime looked all around the village but couldn't find the teens anywhere. They were defiantly getting worried.
Finally, Lime spoke up with an idea, "Gohan, maybe someone told them about Mr. Bourbon. He still lives a ways outside of the town and, get this, the house is made of parts of the shelter. All his money was inside the shelter, and after you destroyed it he was left completely broke. So he lives in a shack." The two of them looked at each other for only a moment before they peeled over laughing. "Come on let's go check it out Gohan."
It took them only a few minutes to get to the heap of scrap metal the Mr. Bourbon was forced to call his home. There they found Videl, Sharpner, and Erasa talking to the man. "He had these evil green eyes and his hair looked like it was on fire." Mr. Bourbon was shaking as he described the mysterious child to the three teens. "I swear he was a demon from the underworld, he blew up my shelter with just a flash of light." He was on the verge of tears at this point, just the thought of that boy was traumatizing to him.
"He was not a demon you stupid old man! He was a hero, he saved everyone from you and from Cell!" Lime yelled, causing the three teens to turn around and see their friend coming up to meet them.
"That's only because you were a friend of his. Even the world's greatest mercenary, General Tao was scared to death of that 'child'. I mean he could FLY, that fact alone tells you that there was something not right about that boy." Lime stuck her tongue out at the aging man and he stormed off.
"Did you guys find the information we need?"
"I think so, everyone who was here back then remembers THAT day. Apparently about eight days before the Cell Games a boy showed up in the village. He destroyed the shelter and told everyone that if he could do that to the shelter then 'imagine what Cell could have done'. Unfortunately, no one remembers his name." Videl seemed angry about this, almost as if the boy's name was the most important fact.
"Heh," Gohan did the Son smile, "I think we should head up to the site of the shelter now. We still have to walk home and it's already two thirty, you guys defiantly don't want to be in these woods after dark." Gohan smiled and lead them back to where Lime was standing. The group then headed off up a hill to see where the shelter once stood. *Wow, Gohan's mood has done a complete one-eighty. He seems a lot happier, actually this is the best mood I've seen him in, in days.* Videl looked at her friend as her talked to Lime jovially. *It must be that stupid girl... How do they know each other anyway? Is SHE why he knew the way to this village?*
"Ok, we're here," Lime finally exclaimed. Sharpner, Videl, and Erasa stared at the sight before them. There was an extremely large crater full of rubble in front of them. "We haven't touched this place in seven years. The villagers decided not to remove this pile of junk because they were so grateful to the boy."
"Mr. Bourbon said you were friends with him." Lime nodded, smiling to herself. "So tell us, who was he?"
Lime turned to face Videl, "I can't tell you that. You see, the boy, he... if he wanted to be known he would have come forward after the Cell games. I won't tell anyone who he is, not even you." Videl opened her mouth to complain, "I know that you would not do anything to endanger his privacy, but it is not my decision, it is not my life, so therefore his identity is not my secret to reveal." Lime turned back around and smiled so that only Gohan could see.
"Sharpner go get some pictures," Videl ordered, annoyed, "Wait a sec Lime, did you just say 'he would have come forward after the Cell games'? Does that mean he really was the boy who fought Cell?" *If he's the kid from the Cell Games that means that this 'demon kid' is probably the Gold Fighter too!* Lime looked at Gohan for guidance. He gave her a small smile as a sign of approval.
"Yes, it was the same boy. I know that he doesn't want to be found, so please Videl, just drop this." Videl glared at the girl but Lime didn't seem to care. "Well I guess you should know all about this shelter, but why don't I tell you all about it on the way back to Gohan's house."
Videl looked shocked, "You're coming back with us?" Lime nodded happily.
"I need a place to stay for a little while so Gohan said I could stay with him. My parents were killed by Cell when he attacked our village nine years ago, (AN: I'm making this number up. Lime looked a lot younger when they show Cell attacking, so I'm saying that it was about two years before Gohan showed up.) and now that my grandpa is dead I have no one left." Lime was on the verge of tears now. "So Gohan is gonna let me stay with him for a little while until I find somewhere else to go."
"Guys," Gohan started, looking worriedly at Lime, "I think we should get going, it's gonna be getting dark soon." Sharpner finished his picture taking and rejoined Gohan, Videl, Erasa, and Lime. The five teens then walked off into the woods, heading back to Gohan's house.
"So Lime how did you and Gohan meet exactly?" Videl asked trying to make small talk as they continued their journey through the woods.
Lime glanced at Gohan quickly before answering, "Well the first time we met I thought he was a horribly vulgar little boy, but after I thought about it for a little while all he really did was save my life." Videl looked a little confused at the statement but didn't say anything; unfortunately she was the only one who did remain quiet.
"He saved your life? How? When?"
"How could a geeky little kid like him manage to save anyone from anything?"
Lime looked at them bemused, "I fell into the river and would've drowned if Gohan hadn't been there. He pulled me out of the water and later on he saved my grandfather by stopping this strange guy from shooting him." Videl looked over at Gohan curiously, *Huh, I wonder how he managed to pull that one off...*
Gohan smiled nervously, "It was nothing really, I was just in the right place at the right time, it was all just luck." Videl was still staring at Gohan, *He's hiding something... this guy's the worst liar I've ever met, although the girl seems to be a really good liar, if I weren't a pro then I wouldn't be able to tell at all. Such an odd contrast, but what are they hiding and why are they hiding it... Does it have something to do with the shelter that was destroyed here, and the identity of the people at the Cell Games as well?*
"What are you hiding Gohan?" Videl asked him quietly a few minutes later. Sharpner and Erasa were beginning to lag behind and Lim had run ahead down the path, so they were all alone.
Gohan looked skyward as they walked thru the trees, the gentle wind causing the branches to sway gently, "What everyone hides Videl, my true self..." Videl looked at him once again.
"I mean besides that Gohan, you're a horrible liar an there was something more to that 'he saved my life' story that that child spoke of."
Gohan stopped dead in his tracks glaring at Videl, "She's not a child Videl, she's only a year younger than you are. She may look young but that's only because she has such a pure heart. She is no more a child then you are and I would appreciate you not insulting my friends like that." Videl rolled her eyes.
"She, on he other hand is an excellent liar, so how can she be 'pure hearted' if she lies that well?"
"Lime," Gohan stated simply as he began to walk again, "only lies to protect the people she cares about. She has been forced into the same horrible habit as most people today have; she's been forced to lie. Though unlike most, she has maintained her innocence because she only does what she has to do to protect the ones she cares for; there is no cause nobler than that." Gohan looked at Videl only to find her staring at the floor deep in thought. He was about to say something to her when a high pitched scream split through the air. Gohan and Videl both took off towards the sound as fast as they could run in the dense foliage of the forest.
Gohan arrived on the scene first, well ahead of Videl (much to her surprise). When he got to the edge of the tree line he noticed the problem, there was nothing beyond the tree line, nothing but a fifty foot drop into a raging river. If he had not grabbed the tree when he did he would have toppled of the edge. He was looking over the edge as Videl arrived on the scene.
"What are you just standing there for keep going!" Videl yelled as she ran up to Gohan, and past him. She screamed as she realized that there was nothing underneath her and she began to plummet to the ground. She was about to scream again as she realized she had stopped falling she looked up and found herself staring into two black pools. She squeezed her eyes shut; gasping for air, as she realized that she was being pulled back up. She didn't open them again until she felt herself being placed gently on the ground. The moment she put her weight on her legs she began to collapse to the forest floor, only to find her decent once again stopped by Gohan.
"Pull yourself together Videl, I thought you were supposed to be the second strongest human on the planet." Videl opened looked up from the ground that she had been staring at since her feet had hit it and found herself extremely close to Gohan's face. She blinked a few times before realizing who it was that was holding her. She pushed him away a hard as she could but instead of him moving away from her, she found herself moving back from him. She bumped into a tree and sank to the ground.
"What the hell just happened??"
"Well you just ran off of a cliff, you probably would have died if I hadn't caught you." Videl just sat on the ground with a blank look on her face. Gohan gave an exasperated sigh, "Then when I got you back up here you almost collapsed on me, so I tried to steady you but then you pushed back into the tree and ended up on the ground anyway, then I began this pointless explanation. Now can I stop?"
"Sorry about that, I don't think I've ever fallen like that, I mean jumping down a story or two is one thing but that drop would've killed me... thank you..." Videl said as she got to her feet.
"If you two are done with your little chat, do you mind helping me Gohan?" Videl jumped at the sound of the voice, she looked around to find the source before once again (cautiously this time though) approaching the cliff edge. She looked down, and there sitting on a small ledge was Lime staring up at the two of them looking highly annoyed.
"Yeah, hold on a sec," Gohan said with a slight smile before promptly beginning to climb down the side of the cliff. Videl just looked at him, shocked that he was so graceful and accurate in his movements down the wall. "Next time," Gohan said softly as Lime climbed on to his back, "You may not be so lucky, you should watch where you're going in these mountains."
Lime and Gohan arrived back at the top just as Erasa and Sharpner arrived. "Oh," Erasa almost shrieked, "what happened?"
"I fell off a cliff." Lime stated as she brushed all the dust off of her clothes. "Then Videl tried to imitate me and fell off too. I think I've lost count of how many times you've saved someone, or everyone, Gohan." Lime smiled at the other teens. "Well that was a great adventure, let's never do it again..." Gohan laughed softly and the group continued on its way.
*He saved my life... I can't believe I almost did that, what a great way to die. I wish I could fly the way Saiyaman does, I wouldn't have been so scared if I knew how to do that, even if it is some kind of trick, it may have able to save me, without Gohan's help. How did he lift me anyway? My weight is all muscle, how could he lift me?* They trekked for another two hours, returning to Gohan's house after dark, much later then they expected.
"Gohan, you're back!" Bulma exclaimed. "I decided to give you a break and take your friends home with me, it'll save you the trip back."
"Yeah Gohan, and Trunks is gonna stay here and train with me for a little while. Do you wanna come too?"
"Sorry squirt, I've got something that I have to do." Gohan motioned to Lime.
"Oh, who's she Gohan?" Goten was staring at Lime, wide eyed.
"Hello, my name is Lime, and you must be Goten." Goten nodded happily. "Wow, you look just like Gohan did when I first met him, but then again you look a lot like your father as well."
"You knew my dad?"
"I met him once, a long time ago."
"I never got to meet him, he died before I was born." Lime smiled at him trying to cheer him up.
"You will meet him one day, I know it," she said kindly. Goten nodded, happy and carefree once again. He and Trunks bid farewell to everyone and ran outside to play. Chichi emerged from the kitchen and put some food on the table for the famished teens. When they finished Videl, Erasa, and Sharpner went and gathered their things. They thanked Chichi for her hospitality.
"I'll put everything together Gohan, don't worry, all that saving people must have exhausted you." Erasa smiled, "Have a good weekend, see you in school on Monday." Gohan nodded sadly. *I won't be in school on Monday Erasa, I may never be in school again, I'm going back into space.* Videl, Sharpner and Erasa waved good-bye to Gohan and Lime and stepped into the capsule copter.
Bulma walked up and hugged Gohan whispering in his ear, "We had a problem at Capsule Corp last night, and Piccolo says Dende never returned from his visit here. Come by later, the old gang is gathering, I'll explain everything then." She let go of him and he nodded solemnly in agreement. She stepped into the copter and took off towards Satan City. *If only you knew how much trouble you had Bulma.* Gohan turned back to Lime who looked as worried as Gohan, she also knew what had happened to Dende and they could guess who was behind the troubles at CC. They walked back into the house in silent thought.
RANDOM FACT: The manga and anime of DBZ are very different in some respects. For example filler episodes like Goku and Piccolo going for their driver's licenses, Gohan visiting Lime's village and the other pre Cell Games adventures never happened in the manga. The manga though explains the disappearance of Launch, something the anime does not go into (at least in the English dub), her disappearance is explained by saying that she went off chasing after Tien, although in reality Akira Toriyama said he just kinda forgot about her...
AN: Hehe, what's Gohan gonna do? He has to hide the truth from his friends. Don't hurt me for killing off Lime's grandfather, I needed a reason for Lime to come and stay with Gohan and make Videl jealous. I am trying to stick to the major world and character limitations set down by the great Akira Toriyama, so I try to keep things the same, Saiyans don't bond telepathically, and tails don't magically grow back after so many years (I know some of you disagree but oh well). I know that I have changed a few things like Piccolo and the memory erasing thing, and Chichi being a little more mellow (sorry bout that but I really liked Chichi in DB and I hate how her character is displayed as a screaming bitch in DBZ, so I mellowed her a little). The only other change is the location of CC, it's really in West City I know but I decided that they have a "winter home/ summer home" thing going on so they spend a few months in Satan City and then return to their real home in West City, is that ok with everyone? Now REVIEW!!!!