Sentiments of gip-k: -Hi, everyone. This is the ninth chapter. Like I said, everything's coming together now. So, I have two VERY BIG confessions to make to the readers, which I have previously kept to myself.
1#: I am no longer allowed to watch non-Christian cartoons/animes.
2#: I had previously known before and during the creation of my story that there were over one hundred stories that had the name "Be careful What you Wish for." I made a mental note that if I ever ran into one of these people, I would change the name of my story immediately. Note that I did not copy. It was simply what I thought to be the best name for my story at this time. However, I ran into Chibi Binasu-chan. God bless her greatly! She gave me one of the nicest reviews I've ever gotten. (SNIFF) Don't worry, Binasu, you're going to get a BIG special thank-you at the end of the chapter! Well, she had the same name story as me, but the fault is all on me. I usually think of something more original, but I did not this time. :( Shame on me!
Kenshin: I see, now. I am now aware of why Miss gip-k did not speak to us for so long… she was in sorrow over not being able to watch our shows anymore…
Goku: Hey, I get it now! (Scratches head and laughs) So that was why she wasn't talking! I had thought she had a sore throat!
Me: (nods sorrowfully) That was why. But that's all in the past, now! And Goku, be sure you don't tell my parents that I've been spending so much of my time writing stories with you in them. They really never liked Dragonball Z.
Goku: Oh, okay. Hey, wait just a second there! I thought everyone liked DBZ.
Me: Well, they don't! Smarten up!
Vegeta: (In his usual accented-angry voice) If you ask me, you're stupider than Kakarot! (Goku, Kenshin and I freeze)
Goku: Vegeta? What are you doing here?
Me: He's not supposed to be here. (I said that with gritted teeth)
Kenshin: My pardons, but I was thinking the same.
Me: Well, what are you doing here?
Vegeta: I want to know why you gave me such ridiculous lines!
Me: WTF?!? What ridiculous lines?
Vegeta: You made me act pathetic! I would never pick a fight with such a weakling! It would be a complete waste of my time! (I grin wildly)
Me: I'm sorry for making you OOC, Vegeta, but that's how it goes.
Vegeta: Blast you and your red-haired man! You have no respect at all! I am the Prince of all Saiyans!
Me: There you go again. Looks like you got a few of the bad lines stuck in your head. (Vegeta glares)
Kenshin: My pardons, but shouldn't we return to the story?
Me: Yes. And Vegeta, don't come here again! It was always supposed to be just Goku, Kenshin, and me. (Vegeta smirks)
Vegeta: What a lie. You were the one who brought Kakarot's wife here. (I turn beet-red)
Me: Get out and don't come back! (Vegeta leaves with that ugly smirk on his face and I compose myself) Good. We'll be going to the story right after the disclaimer, in which I show more of my control over Goku and Kenshin.
Kenshin: Oro! But I thought that when you were no longer allowed to watch animes that you lost your power! (I smirk)
Me: Sorry, Kenshin. You just made a miscalculation. (Kenshin and Goku start looking freaked out).
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Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin or Dragonball Z. If I did, I'd be sipping iced-tea with Akira Toriyama and getting a sweet smile on my face because Watsuki Nobuhiro accepted my request to be drawn into a bonus chapter of a volume of the ruroken manga. :) Also, I'd be making a lot of money and giving both men a very fat paycheck for giving me something good to watch on TV. :)
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---Chapter 9---
After several days, the hustle and bustle in Tokyo over Goku Son had not died down. In fact, it had quadrupled. People of all ages crammed into Tokyo for simply the very glimpse of him. Others wanted to see him fly. This desire he did not often fulfill, for quickly learned that it made people total fanatics of him, and they never let him have a moment's peace. The children loved him because of his fondness of them, which he displayed in easy smiles and encouraging words. More often than not people wanted to see a display of his awesome strength, and he fulfilled that particular desire by simply lifting a barrel of rice with one hand, and sometimes a finger.
Not everyone in Tokyo was a friend of Goku's. At times that stared at him with such incredible animosity that he had nothing to do but stare at them, wide-eyed and confused. He did not know why some people were jealous of him. Once a man charged at him in a hot rage, stating angrily that Goku had stole his girl's heart. Goku did not understand that much, so he asked the man what he was talking about, which only earned him a round of punches in the abdomen, which he did not even have to block.
So, on a certain particular day, Goku was walking through the crowds, trying to get to the Akebeko. He had been reminded swiftly by Yahiko that he needed to get back to the Akebeko and pay Tae the weekly payment that he owed her. Sano had grinned, saying jokingly that Goku did not have to pay all his money at once, but Kaoru had quickly interrupted and stated that if he paid more money the debt would diminish more quickly. She had thanked him for the generosity, of course, but had made it quite clear that she wanted him to pay as much money as possible. Goku had decided to listen to Kaoru. Yahiko said that it would blow Tae's mind how much money Goku had gotten in just one week, but Goku did not really think so.
His mind was not on the previous conversation, though. He was much more concerned on getting through the crowds, who acted that if he did not give them at least one word and maybe a smile, each, then they'd force him to answer the questions. How? They would simply all hang on his arms and legs until he was close to being dragged down to the ground, during which they'd insist even more that he answer their questions. It had happened once in the past, and Goku struggled to make sure it didn't happen again.
Ah! Finally the Akebeko was soon in clear view. If he could only make it a little further…
Then Goku heard something that made him stop in his tracks.
"You'd think this guy was so great," one man said. "I saw a skinny little red-haired man get pulled straight up into the sky, and I saw something else up there- some kind of ugly looking black thing. He got sucked right into that, and the thing disappeared straight after, and he was gone."
"Awl, come on," another man said. "I'm sure you was just seein' things."
"I don't think so," the first man replied. "I saw it with my own eyes! He got sucked straight up and I never saw him again."
Goku searched earnestly for the speakers, but the crowd was simply too large. The words of the first man rang in Goku's head.
Skinny little red-haired man…
***FLASHBACK***
Goku's hand brushed against something. He looked up, eyes wide. For one second- just one solitary second- his eyes met with someone else's. Even in the purple atmosphere, Goku could just barely tell that his hair was light-colored, that he was frail, and that he seemed frightened. Then Goku and the man were swept away in opposite directions, and soon Goku was completely out of the orb, and was flying downward in the freeness of the sky…
…Kaoru's knuckles whitened as she squeezed the object in her hand. Goku glanced down at it. It was a black and white, or rather, brown and white photo. It showed Sanosuke, standing as stiffly as a stick, Yahiko sitting down calmly with a grin on his face, Kaoru doing much the same and… another person who Goku was not familiar with.
***END FLASHBACK***
Goku's memory suddenly came back to him. He had seen someone else inside the orb. He'd seen Kenshin Himura. But wait… that meant that Kenshin was taken somewhere, to. Goku scarcely noticed the crowd around him as his mind struggled to tie the two events together. He was definitely wished away by the dragon, but then, why would Kenshin have been in the orb, too? Where could he have been going?
Then in a flash Goku realized something. Whoever had wished him into Kenshin's world, must have wished Kenshin into… Oh, Kami! The person must have also wished Kenshin into… his. But, was it really possible? Who could have done such a thing?
Goku was so enraptured in his thoughts that he was startled when he heard a woman's voice.
"Please, Goku-senin," she said, holding out her crying baby. "Please hold him."
"Oh, all right," Goku said, smiling.
The child immediately stopped crying when Goku took him in his arms. He looked up at Goku with glistening brown eyes.
"Hey, little fellow," Goku said, smiling. "What's the matter?"
The child continued staring. He said something in baby language and tried to reach for Goku's nose. Goku laughed. He handed the baby back to the lady.
"Take good care of him," Goku said.
"I will," the lady said with a smile. The child giggled. The young woman walked away with a spring in her step, obviously joyful that her son was now behaving in a more comely manner.
It seemed like an eternity before Goku made it to the Akebeko. He was just going to have to fly home. He had to tell Kaoru that there was good news- Kenshin would be back.
The Akebeko was quite crowded, and Tae looked tired from the work, yet happy. When her eyes met with Goku's, they narrowed.
"So," Tae said. "Did you bring your weekly payment, or are you simply here to say you could not pay that much."
"Oh, I brought it!" Goku said quickly, and easy smile crossing his face. He reached into his gi. Tae raised an eyebrow when he had some trouble finding it. Then he brought the money out. She extended her hand while still giving Goku that skeptical look.
"And how much is this?" Tae asked.
"Look at it!" Goku said, smiling.
Her brown eyes roved downward, widened, looked back at him, looked around, and looked back at the money.
"But this is-"
"Eighteen thousand six hundred thirty-four yen, I think," Goku said, scratching his head. "It might not be that much-"
"No, that's okay!" Tae said quickly. She looked at the money again. "You think you can dig this much up next week, too?"
"Um, I don't know," Goku said. "Probably."
"Good, good," Tae said. She gave him a friendly smile. "You know, at first I thought you were some kind of deadbeat, but now I'm thinking that maybe you should start teaching Sanosuke a lesson or two!"
"What, he doesn't pay for his food?" Goku asked, eyes widening.
Tae snorted.
"Sake's more than twice as expensive, and no, he doesn't pay," she said. "He's the biggest bum ever to walk the planet."
"Well, I have to go," Goku said. "I'll see you later."
Tae smiled.
"You too, Goku!" she replied. "You're welcome here any time!"
The Tae quickly began attending to one of her seemingly countless customers.
Goku emerged from the Akebeko, but instead of speaking with the crowd, he powered up and blasted up. They looked both happy and disappointed. He gave them a sheepish smile.
"Sorry, guys!" he said. "I've really got to go!"
Then he waved to the lookers below, and sped off into the horizon.
* * *
Yahiko's eyes widened when he saw Goku coming- flying- towards the dojo.
"Oh crap," was all Yahiko could say.
He had not believed Goku when the man had said he could fly. Yahiko blinked as Goku landed.
"Have you seen Kaoru lately?" Goku asked.
"Huh?" Yahiko asked stupidly.
"Kaoru- have you seen her?"
"Uh… what did you say?"
"Yeesh Yahiko," Sanosuke said as he emerged from the house. "What's with you?" Then he turned to Goku. "She's in the house."
"Thanks!" Goku said as he raced into the house. Yahiko began stammering about trying to explain to Sano what he'd seen.
When Goku reached inside the house, Kaoru was sitting on the ground on a mat in front of a small wooden table. He expression was very somber and her dark blue eyes held a look of heaviness in them.
"Kaoru!"
Kaoru turned to Goku, startled.
"What is it?" Kaoru asked.
"I know where Kenshin is!" Goku exclaimed.
Kaoru stood straight up, nearly slipping on the very mat she had been sitting on.
"Y- you do?" she asked. She looked both eager and frightened.
"Yes!" Goku said. "He's in my world!"
The hopefulness in Kaoru's dark blue eyes faded immediately, as did the flush of excitement in her cheeks, so much so that she almost looked gray. Her shoulders slumped in defeat, and her eyes looked down to the ground.
"Kaoru, what's wrong?"
Kaoru did not answer. Goku waited. Then he spoke again.
"You don't believe me?" Goku asked softly.
He waited. Then he saw Kaoru's head move a little. It appeared like she shook her head slightly.
A blanket of sorrow fell over Goku's heart.
"Why?" Goku asked sadly.
"You- wouldn't understand," Kaoru said.
Goku moved closer to Kaoru, the gap that the eerie silence had created growing increasingly unbearable.
"Kaoru, I remember now," Goku said. "I saw him when I was brought here- I saw him in that orb." Kaoru remained quiet. "Kaoru, a man in the marketplace today said that he saw a skinny red-haired man being pulled into the sky. That could have been Kenshin. Kaoru, do you hear me? That could have been Kenshin!"
Kaoru looked up at Goku. Her eyes glistened with tears.
"Even if it was Kenshin," Kaoru choked out. "If he's in your world now… then I'll never- I'll never- I'll never see him again!"
"No, Kaoru," Goku insisted. "My friends in my world will find the dragonballs, then they'll certainly send Kenshin back here."
Kaoru began to sob openly- shaking, wracking sobs. Goku put a hand on her shoulder. Surprisingly, she reacted by quickly wrapping her arms around him. She held him tightly, wetting his gi with her tears. Goku awkwardly patted her back.
"It's alright, Kaoru," he said. He gave her a sheepish smile. "Everything will be fine. Kenshin will be back here in no time- I promise."
Kaoru cried helplessly on Goku's shoulder for a few more moments, and then finally she composed herself. Still clutching him, she looked up into his eyes.
"Will you leave, then?" she asked.
"Well, yeah," Goku said. He briefly smiled, but soon after his face grew serious. "My friends are probably worried about me. I'm sure they will miss me. Especially my son, Gohan."
Kaoru released him. She walked a little farther away and dried her face with the sleeve of her kimono. She turned to Goku, her darkly eyes still shining from her previous tears.
"I'll miss you, too," she said softly. Then she sniffled.
"Awl, come on," Goku said, smiling sheepishly. "I've caused only trouble."
Kaoru smiled briefly.
"You're right about that," Kaoru said. "I had to cough up a lot of money to fix that roof, and it nearly gave me a heart attack when Tae said I owed her more than eighty thousand yen."
Goku laughed, scratching his head.
"Sorry about that!" he said. "I was just really hungry that day."
"I should be apologizing to you," Kaoru said. "I'm- sorry for being so selfish. I get so preoccupied worrying about Kenshin sometimes. I really hope he's all right, and I'm sure he is, actually, if he's with your friends."
Goku nodded. The two stared at each other for a few more moments, having little more to say. Then Goku turned his head abruptly, getting an unshakable feeling that there was someone else around them.
"What's wrong, Goku?" Kaoru asked, noticing his sudden change in attitude.
"I can sense someone else's energy," Goku said. His face grew grim. "Someone else is here."
Goku walked out of the house, and jumped up to the roof. He began walking towards the source of the ki. He could sense that the person was moving. But who was it that always seemed to be watching him?
Goku was so engrossed in searching for the stalker, that he didn't notice Yahiko sitting on the roof and knocked the boy over.
"AHHH!" Yahiko cried as he began to topple off the roof.
Goku swiftly grabbed his arm. Yahiko opened his eyes. He glared at Goku.
"Hey! Put me down!"
Goku put the boy back on the roof, where straightened out his clothes in the most arrogant fashion.
"Sorry," Goku said. "I didn't see you there."
"Sure you didn't," Yahiko said heatedly. "Just watch where you're going next time, okay?"
"I'm really sorry," Goku said. "I was looking for someone who's been following me for days. Did you see him?"
Yahiko shook his head. A look of deep seriousness was evident in his reddish brown eyes.
"I thought someone was hanging around here," he replied, his mouth curled in disgust. "I don't know who it is, though."
"Are you guys just enjoying the view, or what?"
Goku and Yahiko turned around. Sanosuke stood before them, having just jumped up to the roof as well. Sano and Goku gave a start when they heard Kaoru's voice.
"Did you see anyone?" she asked.
"What're you guys looking so pale for?" Yahiko asked. "I saw her. Hey, if she couldn't even climb a roof how could she be called the master of the Kamiya Kasshin style?"
"Thanks for the compliment, Yahiko," Kaoru said with a cheery smile.
"Hey, I didn't say you're not still a hag," Yahiko replied.
Kaoru smacked him on the head.
Goku came to and noticed the wooden sword in Kaoru's hand.
"What are you doing with that?" he asked, pointing.
Kaoru blinked.
"Oh!" she said. "My bokken, you mean? Well, hey, this is my dojo, and if anybody thinks they can just break in here without giving me a good explanation as to why, they're dead wrong. Besides," Kaoru continued. "A girl needs to defend herself, you know."
"Are you telling me that you… fight?" Goku asked, mouth hanging open.
Kaoru went into defensive mode.
"Yes," Kaoru said. A threatening look in her navy blue eyes was obvious. "Girls can fight, too. Do you have a problem with that?"
"Uh, no!" Goku said, using his smile-and-scratch-the-head routine to get him out of trouble.
"You were treading on dangerous ground, macho man," Sanosuke said, grinning. "The little missy doesn't appreciate people telling her certain things."
Kaoru glared at Sanosuke, but Goku continued.
"Well, I sure hope we can find out who's been hanging around here," he said seriously.
"Yeah," Yahiko said, pounding his fist. "If Kenshin were here, he'd beat those guys no problem."
"I wonder where the hell that guy is anyway," Sano said, frowning in disgust. "He does know that it isn't very polite to leave without saying good-bye. If you're going to go missing, leave a clue or something!"
"Oh! I forgot to tell you!" Goku said quickly. "I know where Kenshin is!"
Sano and Yahiko stared at Goku in amazement, directing all sorts of accusations and questions at him before he could hardly speak. When he finally got to explain, they calmed down a bit. Yahiko looked very grim, yet he at least seemed to believe the story, but Sano just snorted.
"Fat lot of good that's gonna do if he's actually really in your world," Sano said. "That means we can't even reach him- if he really is there. How do we know you didn't do something to him? It is kinda fishy that he disappears and then you suddenly appear instead."
"Exactly!" Goku exclaimed. "That's because we switched places! Someone wished me away and sent Kenshin to my world. I don't know who, but I'll certainly find out when I get back there."
"I don't know if I believe any of what you're saying-" Sanosuke said, beginning to crack his knuckles.
"Well I do!" Kaoru yelled suddenly.
Sanosuke and Goku looked at her, blinking.
"I believe you, Goku," Kaoru said, directing a meaningful look towards him. "And I pray that your friends do whatever it is they can to get Kenshin back."
"They will," Goku said, face serious. "They can do it."
Sano gave Goku a sidelong glare while speaking to Kaoru.
"Well, I don't know what all this s*** is about, but I'm gonna find out," Sanosuke said firmly. Then he jumped down from the roof without another word. Kaoru and Goku called after him, but all in vain, for their brown-haired friend paid no heed their cries.
Kaoru sighed and apologized for Sanosuke's actions.
"It's okay," Goku said.
"What a jerk," Yahiko said. "I can't believe he just ditched you like that! I mean, he didn't even consider what you said!"
"It's all right, Yahiko," Kaoru said. "It's a hard time for all of us."
Yahiko nodded.
The threesome went back inside the house, where they sat in silence. After the minutes seemed to stretch longer and longer, Kaoru announced that she was going to prepare the evening meal. Yahiko walked out the door, stating that he might as well do a little training. Goku decided that he would follow the boy's example.
So, a glum mood hung over the dojo for the rest of the day. Goku just hoped that his friends were doing okay- he hoped his wife and son were doing okay, too. How he missed them…
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gip-k's Post chapter statements: -Hi everyone. I'm sorry about the crummy chapter. It was not really about much, but I had to gain some time. It's quite wicked, so I am going to give you all a second, too! It'll be real exciting- I PROMISE! And you know I don't promise things too often, but this I PROMISE! So, I hope your listening, Aya, 'cause you wanted some entertainment. For the time being just drink your bloody sake. :)
Finally, we're too the special thanks. I have a lot of people to thank, now!
Dragon Ladysupreme
Thanks for staying with the story so long. I know you're starting to get bored, so… I promise more excitement. I'd always decided to put a little "fighting", but the time had not come yet! Yet now that time is here! So, stay with me. Pretty please?
Dee-Chan
I still remember- you were my second reviewer! The second review I got was yours. Thanks for all your support through the countless weeks! You rock!
Zeldagurl
Thanks for all your reviewing! I really have been enjoying your stories, too. You don't seem too interested in BCWYWF yet, which story will soon be called "Cautious Wishing" or something of the sort. I'm really glad you took the time to read it, though. It's kinda long, so I know it must have taken some time- time you didn't have to give. So THANK YOU!
Crazed Fanatic Anime Fan
Thanks so much for reviewing! You made me happy! I'm glad you liked the story! I love updates, too! YAY!
Chibi Binasu-chan
(SNIFF) No, girl, YOU rock. You're review was one of the nicest reviews I've EVER had. THANKS A MILLION! Oh, though this may seem kinda personal, I think we have a lot in common! We're both thirteen (you're thirteen, right?) We both LOVE writing, we both like purple! I like anime! I like manga! We both have parents that put various restrictions on us. I know it must feel terrible that you can't e-mail people. I think you can get an e-mail address at ff.net or somewhere else. I'm not sure, but since the MSN parental controls haven't registered them as existing, maybe it won't know they're there? Very stupid sounding, yes, but it's possible! Just NEVER get Hotmail. Oh, no, it will DEFINITELY know about that.
Also, in case you were wondering, all your requests were granted before you even read the story. (in other words, I was already going to put EVERYTHING you wanted!)
I ALWAYS UPDATE FAST!!!
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Also, I'd like to thank all those who have put me on their favorites' list. :) You don't know what it means to me! Thank you Xartarous, Dee-chan, zeldagurl, Chibi Binasu-chan, and a person unfamiliar to me at this time, Midnight Youko. Thanks everyone!