Dragon Ball Yugure Z
A Dragon Ball Z fanfiction
by Son Goharotto (son_goharotto@hotmail.com)
Welcome to Dragon Ball Yugure Z, my personal pet project. This is what I like to call a "multi-generational alternaverse epic." Expect a complex story spanning several volumes that are littered with cliff-hangers and titanic battles. DBYZ has been revised in its entirety. While some episodes have merely been ridden of typos, others have been rewritten completely. I'll be starting from the beginning at one episode a day so new readers can join in, undaunted by DBYZ's length, and old readers can review past events. All this is leading up to the new Episode 37, from which I'll try to keep a normal updating pace instead of letting this be forgotten as it once was.
DISCLAIMER: As much as I mgiht wish it not to be, DBZ does not belong to me. It's the property of Akira Toriyama-sama and many others who (unfortunately) aren't me. I'm not trying to make any money off of this and it's just a way for me to show my love of all things Dragon Ball. Well, except maybe GT. Bleah. I is teh poor, so don't sue me.
WARNINGS: As a whole, this series contains mature language (usually in Japanese), graphic violence, brutality, mature situations (non-lemon), and a touch of angst.
NOTES: A liberal amount of Japanese vocabulary is sprinkled throughout, though nothing extremely important is ever said in another language that isn't translated. Mostly just basic Otaku Japanese. I've compiled a list of phrases I use on my homepage here: www.enpitsudo-dojo.com/libjapanese.html.
"dialogue"
""layered voice"" (Fusion, for example)
{alien language}
[thoughts, telepathy, memories]
_stressed words_
*sounds*
~scene change~
Volume II -- 24 Hours
Episode 18 -- Learning How to Control Her Ki!! The Sorrowful Argument!!
The next 'day', Paresu had all but forgotten the encounter and was quietly eating breakfast when Goku walked up to her. "Wanna learn how to fly?" he offered abruptly.
The girl's eyes widened with surprise and delight, dropping the apple she had been munching on. She danced around her sensei gaily, then latched onto his arm. "Are you serious!? More than anything in the world!"
"Then let's do it," he smiled, leading her outide. "First you hafta understand what it really is. Instead of using wings, you push away from the ground with your ki."
"How do I control my ki? I don't even know what that is!"
"Oh, ah... Lemme try to explain ki." After looking thoughtful for a second, "You know when you relax, you can sorta feel your heartbeat? It's like that. Try to relax and feel the flow of ki in your body. When you can do that, think about pushing down, but not with yourself."
"Okay, here goes."
Paresu sat lotus style, letting her body relax. Breathing measured, she cleared her mind, focusing on nothing. Minutes passed before she felt even the slightest tingling of energy. More minutes still and Paresu managed to focus on those energies without losing her concentration. Sitting next to her, Goku watched patiently as his student began to float ever so slightly. Paresu suddenly noticed the lack of support beneath her and promptly lost her focus, dropping with a thud to the hard surface below.
"Gomen nasai, Goku-sama. I can't do it." Paresu's shoulders slumped.
Goku wrapped an arm around her narrow shoulders, giving her an encouraging shake. "Don't give up! C'mon, how 'bout this?"
"How about what?" Paresu asked, looking up. Suddenly they were zooming up into the air and Paresu began to scream her head off. They stopped about the same time the girl ran out of breath and Goku gave her a mildly reproving glance. "Ah ha, gomen," Paresu said in a small, _very_ embarrassed voice.
"I'm not gonna let you fall," Goku told her, smiling. He had both his arms wrapped around her waist at this point and was easily supporting her. To hide the sudden blush creeping across her cheeks, Paresu craned her neck, looking down at the ground. She was hit with a feeling of vertigo and glomped onto Goku again, forgetting her embarrassment. After a pause, "_Now_ I'm gonna let you fall."
Paresu's head snapped up just as he relaxed his grip and she was staring up into his broad smile as she went into a free fall. Finally, her mind kicked into gear, though a bit too late. "Are you crazy!?" Paresu dropped like a rock and the ground came rushing up. Hastily concentrating, she pushed away from the ground and shot back up to her sensei, though not nearly as fast. "What in _hell_ is wrong with you!?!? I could have been killed!!"
"Iie, I woulda caught you if you couldn't do it." Goku shrugged and looked down. "Don't forget to concentrate."
"Nani!?" She looked around frantically, half expecting herself to fall again. Realizing she was tricked, she glared at her idol. "That wasn't funny!" she declared.
"But I got my point across. You're not thinking about it, are you?"
"Uh no, I'm not!" She looked up at him astonished.
"That's what I mean. It's actually kinda easy to pick up. With the right training, anyone could--"
"Yattaaaaaa!" she interrupted. "This is amazing! I feel as free as a bird! Domo arigato gozaimasu, Goku-sama!" Paresu twirled around her mentor for a second, feeling the wind wrap around her form with a sense of limitless joy.
Amused, Goku was watching her when quite unexpectedly, she literally flew into his's arms and kissed him on the cheek. Blushing slightly, "Ah, d-do itashimashite, Paresu-chan..."
Paresu zipped through the air excitedly for several minutes before finally conceding to land with her sensei. Goku tapped her on the shoulder, breaking her revere. "How 'bout a race?" Goku's grin was replaced with a competitive smirk and he took off in an instant, the backwash of air knocking Paresu aside. Goku's words called back to her, fading in the wind. "C'mooooooonnnn........"
Paresu jumped to her feet and shot off after him, accepting the challenge.
The rest of the day was a blur--literally--as the two chased each other across the uniform landscape, though neither seemed to mind at all. When the younger was finally too tired to continue, they called it a day, Goku happily carrying his exhausted student back to the shelter. By the time they made it, Paresu was sound asleep in her idol's arms and Goku carried her to her bed. Ever so gently, the Saiyajin set her down and pulled the covers up to her chin. He just sat there for a minute, watching the beautiful young woman in her slumber with a happy, if not slightly sorrowful expression. He brushed back a lock of chocolate hair from her eyes and stood.
[This is what we coulda had Goten. When I get back, I'll make it up to you.] Goku walked out the door and slowly closed it behind him with one last glimpse at the sleeping angel. [It's a promise]
~~~~~
"Ohayo gozaimasu, Goku-sensei! What do you want to do next?" Paresu asked the next day. She had found her sensei outside practicing katas and tossed him one of the apples she snagged from the kitchen.
Polishing off the fruit in a matter of seconds, Goku brushed off his gi and regarded her warmly. "Today, I'll teach you how to use your ki for offense. Remember, this is to protect yourself," Goku said, growing serious. "I don't want you pickin' fights."
"Of _course_!" Paresu responded, slightly offended that Goku might even think such a thing, but not enough so to complain. "I'd never use what your teaching me to hurt people. One of the reasons I like you so much is because you watch out for people like me." She gave him a wink and waggled her finger in his face. "I think that's kinda cute."
Goku smiled for a moment before continuing with the lesson. "Focus your ki again, but this time, direct it toward your hand and hold it in." As Goku spoke, Paresu followed his every word, holding one hand forward to help guide her thoughts. "Now take some of your ki and squash it into the ball, got it?" Paresu nodded and giggled a bit, finding her mentor's instruction inadvertently funny.
The teen focused her ki, slowly building the ball of energy in her mind. With a deep breath, she opened her fist and the orb sprang out. Unfortunately, the ball was small and slow, wavering pitifully before dispersing entirely. "Ano, what happened?"
"You need to concentrate more. Try to define its shape, size, and speed. Also, the more ki you pour into the ball, the stronger it will be."
Paresu tried harder and the next one was faster and larger. It moved off fairly quickly, but exploded in a small blast on its own only a few meters away. "Demo..."
"Don't let it get you down. This is harder than flying, but you'll get it. Keep trying!"
Paresu fired again and again, each progressive ki ball getting bigger, faster, and stronger. An hour or so later, she suddenly collapsed in a heap, exhausted. "What... happened...?"
"Using ki is like actual physical labor. You have to work to get stronger. The more you train, the longer and harder you can push yourself. Try not to tire yourself out though. You have to know your limitations."
"You... could've said that... earlier..."
"Haha, gomen!" he laughed. "This _is_ my first time as a sensei, ne? Let's take a break now. We'll continue when you're feeling better." After a few hours, a short nap, and another quick meal, the two returned outside. Goku nodded for the girl to try again and he was pleasantly surprised when Paresu shot off a ki bolt without hesitation. It shot into the distance and blasted a crater into the ground. "See? Practice and some rest was all you needed."
"Hai, I feel much better. Will you teach me how to manipulate the ki ball?"
"You mean like Kamehamehas and stuff? That's just a lot of stuff you learn on your own."
"So how do I do it? Just change the shape of my ki?"
"Sorta," Goku shrugged. He shook his head and laughed. "I guess I'm not very good at this, huh?"
"Not at all!" Paresu argued. "You're the best sensei I've ever had." [You're also the _first_ sensei I've ever had, but then you don't need to know _that_, do you?] she added to herself.
The rest of the day passed as quickly as those before, Paresu engrossed in the lessons Goku enjoyed giving. Paresu's skill had increased considerably by the end of the day and she was pulling off more and more advanced techniques. However, one thing had been bugging her the entire day.
"Um, do I _really_ have to say the name like that when I do it?"
Goku thought for a moment and shook his head no. "Not really, but I've found it helps me focus during battle. In the middle of a fight, you won't always have the chance to concentrate real hard."
"Okay, makes sense."
~~~~~
"Shimatta! Gomen, Goku-sama!" Paresu ran over to her sensei as the Saiyajin clutched his face in agony.
"You... picked up on the Taiyo-ken... pretty fast, huh?" Goku groaned, rubbing his eyes. "Just, warn me next time, 'kay?"
"Y-you sure you're okay?" Paresu asked again, a bit frantic.
"Yosh', yosh'. I been hit with worse." Inwardly, Goku groaned again. [Not by _much_ worse...]
~~~~~
They trained for several months and Paresu's ki grew stronger. She was happy to find that after a while, she could really cause some damage. Branching out, she soon developed a couple attacks of her own and could actually surprise her sensei with them while they sparred.
"Kamehameha!!!" Paresu's beam shot forward, flashing across the sky directly for Goku. Smacking it away, the Saiyajin fired is own, but Paresu dodged it. He swung it back around and hit her in the back, making sure it was only strong enough to knock her out of the air. Paresu fell to the ground and landed with a thump. "Itai..."
The man shot down to meet her, but she was prepared. Waiting to the last second, Paresu focused her ki. "Rasenjo Katta!!!" Wind whipped up around her and Goku barely jumped away in time. He was still in one piece, though his gi had seen better days. Several slashes had cut through and the front was in ribbons.
"Oi, not bad! You almost got me with that!"
"Arigatou, this is harder than it looks," she laughed. Preparing to attack again, she took a short step forwards and stumbled, almost falling on her face. Looking down, she noticed a lace of one boot was loose. Bending over at the waist, she started to fix it, absent-mindedly thinking that her idol had a perfect view of her rear. That is, he would if her were looking.
And that brought her up short. What was she just thinking? Was she really making a conscious effort to flirt with him? When Paresu stood again, she turned away from the Saiyajin. The teen admitted to having some very strong emotions for the warrior, but this was something completely different. She had never out-right made a pass at him and this was uncomfortably close to doing just that. [What _am_ I doing...? He's married... sort of...]
"Paresu-chan? Doshitano?" Goku asked, concerned by her sudden withdrawl. Tears were running down her cheeks now, but she stood completely still. "Why are you crying?" He walked over to her, about to place a hand on her shoulder.
Suddenly, Paresu felt an irrational anger. [Why doesn't he understand!? Why!?] "Get away from me!!" Paresu screamed, pushing away. "You just don't understand!!"
"Understand what?" Goku asked bewildered.
"Just...go away!!!" She ran away from him, refusing to listen the little voice in her head begging her to stay and let him know how she feels. Tripping, he fell to her knees weeping uncontrollably.
"Paresu-chan..." Goku was very confused. What didn't he understand? "Paresu-chan," he murmured, crouching next to her. "Tell me what's wrong..."
Before she knew what she was doing, Paresu jumped up and flew away at top speed. Goku sighed and restrained himself from following her. [I hope she'll be okay...]
~~~~~
[What am I _doing_? _Why_ am I doing this?] Paresu stopped in the air. Slowly, she landed, sitting on the barren, featureless immensity of the Seishin proper. The plain was devoid of life, completely flat for she and Goku never trained this far from the compound. [Why do I feel like this?] Paresu got up and walked along for a bit, not moving father away nor moving closer to her sensei's position so far off. The wind whipped her brown hair about her face, the only evidence of anything at all in this place. [I _do_ lo... Then why did I run away? I-I need to face him... Tell him how I feel...that I...love him...]
Paresu turned back suddenly, running back towards the house. She was too distraught to fly and she kept tripping on absolutely nothing at all. Tears were flowing freely down her smooth skin, flying out in the air as she ran. She fell for what felt to be the hundredth time, but this time, she didn't hit the ground. Paresu was vaguely aware of arms around her and being lifted gently off the ground. Goku held her close to his chest, carrying her crying form as he walked. She was so vulnerable and he felt an enormous desire to protect her. "Shhh... just relax. It'll be okay," he said quietly, comfortingly.
Paresu looked up into his face, barely able to discern his angular features from behind the layer of tears. "Ano, Goku- sama... I... I --"
"Shhh, don't speak."
"Demo... I have to tell you... I... I..."
"It's okay. I know." Somehow feeling better, Paresu leaned back into his embrace and fell asleep.
~~~~~
Paresu awoke still tired both physically and emotionally. [I'm back,] she thought blandly. She stumbled out of bed wearing some blue pajamas she only barely remembered getting into. Seated at the edge of the dias, Goku was quietly watching the expanse beyond.
Noticing her arrival, the Saiyajin put on a warm smile and greeted her cordially. "Ohayo gozaimasu, Paresu-chan. Ready to train today?"
"Um, Goku-sama... About the other day..."
Goku's face turned grave. He was very serious in his response, but his voice never left that kind inflection he so often used. "I understand, Paresu-chan. If you don't want to talk about it, don't force yourself. This doesn't change anything, does it?"
"Mmm... Iie, I guess not. Arigato, Goku-sama." Paresu felt monumentally better. Something about the Saiyajin had a calming affect on her, even when they sparred. It was very comforting being around him. Maybe that's why she fell in love with him, he was so kind.
"I hope you're ready today, 'caus I've got something special to show you."
"All right, just let me get changed." Paresu ran back to her bed and found her gi, quickly putting it on. She dashed back outside, but Goku wasn't there. Confused, she stopped short and looked around. Suddenly, she felt his presence behind her and she whirled to face an attack, but none came. "Why'd you do that?"
"Just showing you what I'll teach you today," he responded innocently.
It took her a second to process that. "You mean...Shunkan Idou!?"
Goku just smiled.
~~~~~
Goku stood at the end of the Tenkai, enjoying the breeze as it streamed through his hair. The world below looked so clean from up here; it was hard to see just how close it had come to destruction so many times. The Saiyajin smiled, glad that things were finally looking up. He put his hands on his hips and turned to young Namek-seijin next to him. "So, Dende, you're really gonna be the new Kami?" he asked.
"Yes, that's right. There's so much that needs to be done, I hope I'm up to the challenge. But, how have you been lately, Goku-san? I know what happened here, I'm sorry about your friends and fam--" but he stopped when he saw the man's smile and understood it was all right. "I know how the burdens of our choices can weigh so heavily, but we must remain strong." Emphasizing his point, Dende hefted the thick wooden staff Popo had passed on to him from the previous Kami.
Reflexively, Goku's hand rose to touch the scar that split his face. He had almost forgotten it was there, but the sudden reminder didn't hurt like he thought it might. "Yeah, but stuff like that goes with the territory, ne?" he joked.
"Indeed it does. It's been good seeing you, I hope we can talk again someday. But I have other matters to which I must attend. If you'll excuse me," the Namek-seijin bowed, then turned to walk away.
"Jaa ne!" Goku called to the yong man's back. As the green man left, Paresu stepped up next to the Saiyajin. "Where were you?" he asked.
"I had to apologize to Popo-san for sneaking in," she explained sheepishly. "I think he was surprised as I was that I actually made it up here."
"Just how did you make it up here?" Goku asked.
Paresu dug her toe into the tile, and mumbled something under her breath. Goku got the idea and let it drop. They stood quietly for a while, just watching the clouds float by. "So what are you going to do now?"
"Go home, rebuild. Train my son like I been meaning to." With a laugh, "And hope this doesn't start all over again."
"Will ever see you again?" the girl asked, concerned that she was going to lose him.
The man gave her his patented grin. "That's what Shunkan Idou is for." The teen brightened up and waved as he leapt off the Tenkai bowl, slowly flying away. "Jaa, Paresu-chan!"
"Jaa ne, Goku-sama!' she called after him. She stood there and watched her idol disappear into the distance. Deciding she would best be on her way as well, she too stepped over the edge flew home. [Just wait until you see this, niichan.]
A Dragon Ball Z fanfiction
by Son Goharotto (son_goharotto@hotmail.com)
Welcome to Dragon Ball Yugure Z, my personal pet project. This is what I like to call a "multi-generational alternaverse epic." Expect a complex story spanning several volumes that are littered with cliff-hangers and titanic battles. DBYZ has been revised in its entirety. While some episodes have merely been ridden of typos, others have been rewritten completely. I'll be starting from the beginning at one episode a day so new readers can join in, undaunted by DBYZ's length, and old readers can review past events. All this is leading up to the new Episode 37, from which I'll try to keep a normal updating pace instead of letting this be forgotten as it once was.
DISCLAIMER: As much as I mgiht wish it not to be, DBZ does not belong to me. It's the property of Akira Toriyama-sama and many others who (unfortunately) aren't me. I'm not trying to make any money off of this and it's just a way for me to show my love of all things Dragon Ball. Well, except maybe GT. Bleah. I is teh poor, so don't sue me.
WARNINGS: As a whole, this series contains mature language (usually in Japanese), graphic violence, brutality, mature situations (non-lemon), and a touch of angst.
NOTES: A liberal amount of Japanese vocabulary is sprinkled throughout, though nothing extremely important is ever said in another language that isn't translated. Mostly just basic Otaku Japanese. I've compiled a list of phrases I use on my homepage here: www.enpitsudo-dojo.com/libjapanese.html.
"dialogue"
""layered voice"" (Fusion, for example)
{alien language}
[thoughts, telepathy, memories]
_stressed words_
*sounds*
~scene change~
Volume II -- 24 Hours
Episode 18 -- Learning How to Control Her Ki!! The Sorrowful Argument!!
The next 'day', Paresu had all but forgotten the encounter and was quietly eating breakfast when Goku walked up to her. "Wanna learn how to fly?" he offered abruptly.
The girl's eyes widened with surprise and delight, dropping the apple she had been munching on. She danced around her sensei gaily, then latched onto his arm. "Are you serious!? More than anything in the world!"
"Then let's do it," he smiled, leading her outide. "First you hafta understand what it really is. Instead of using wings, you push away from the ground with your ki."
"How do I control my ki? I don't even know what that is!"
"Oh, ah... Lemme try to explain ki." After looking thoughtful for a second, "You know when you relax, you can sorta feel your heartbeat? It's like that. Try to relax and feel the flow of ki in your body. When you can do that, think about pushing down, but not with yourself."
"Okay, here goes."
Paresu sat lotus style, letting her body relax. Breathing measured, she cleared her mind, focusing on nothing. Minutes passed before she felt even the slightest tingling of energy. More minutes still and Paresu managed to focus on those energies without losing her concentration. Sitting next to her, Goku watched patiently as his student began to float ever so slightly. Paresu suddenly noticed the lack of support beneath her and promptly lost her focus, dropping with a thud to the hard surface below.
"Gomen nasai, Goku-sama. I can't do it." Paresu's shoulders slumped.
Goku wrapped an arm around her narrow shoulders, giving her an encouraging shake. "Don't give up! C'mon, how 'bout this?"
"How about what?" Paresu asked, looking up. Suddenly they were zooming up into the air and Paresu began to scream her head off. They stopped about the same time the girl ran out of breath and Goku gave her a mildly reproving glance. "Ah ha, gomen," Paresu said in a small, _very_ embarrassed voice.
"I'm not gonna let you fall," Goku told her, smiling. He had both his arms wrapped around her waist at this point and was easily supporting her. To hide the sudden blush creeping across her cheeks, Paresu craned her neck, looking down at the ground. She was hit with a feeling of vertigo and glomped onto Goku again, forgetting her embarrassment. After a pause, "_Now_ I'm gonna let you fall."
Paresu's head snapped up just as he relaxed his grip and she was staring up into his broad smile as she went into a free fall. Finally, her mind kicked into gear, though a bit too late. "Are you crazy!?" Paresu dropped like a rock and the ground came rushing up. Hastily concentrating, she pushed away from the ground and shot back up to her sensei, though not nearly as fast. "What in _hell_ is wrong with you!?!? I could have been killed!!"
"Iie, I woulda caught you if you couldn't do it." Goku shrugged and looked down. "Don't forget to concentrate."
"Nani!?" She looked around frantically, half expecting herself to fall again. Realizing she was tricked, she glared at her idol. "That wasn't funny!" she declared.
"But I got my point across. You're not thinking about it, are you?"
"Uh no, I'm not!" She looked up at him astonished.
"That's what I mean. It's actually kinda easy to pick up. With the right training, anyone could--"
"Yattaaaaaa!" she interrupted. "This is amazing! I feel as free as a bird! Domo arigato gozaimasu, Goku-sama!" Paresu twirled around her mentor for a second, feeling the wind wrap around her form with a sense of limitless joy.
Amused, Goku was watching her when quite unexpectedly, she literally flew into his's arms and kissed him on the cheek. Blushing slightly, "Ah, d-do itashimashite, Paresu-chan..."
Paresu zipped through the air excitedly for several minutes before finally conceding to land with her sensei. Goku tapped her on the shoulder, breaking her revere. "How 'bout a race?" Goku's grin was replaced with a competitive smirk and he took off in an instant, the backwash of air knocking Paresu aside. Goku's words called back to her, fading in the wind. "C'mooooooonnnn........"
Paresu jumped to her feet and shot off after him, accepting the challenge.
The rest of the day was a blur--literally--as the two chased each other across the uniform landscape, though neither seemed to mind at all. When the younger was finally too tired to continue, they called it a day, Goku happily carrying his exhausted student back to the shelter. By the time they made it, Paresu was sound asleep in her idol's arms and Goku carried her to her bed. Ever so gently, the Saiyajin set her down and pulled the covers up to her chin. He just sat there for a minute, watching the beautiful young woman in her slumber with a happy, if not slightly sorrowful expression. He brushed back a lock of chocolate hair from her eyes and stood.
[This is what we coulda had Goten. When I get back, I'll make it up to you.] Goku walked out the door and slowly closed it behind him with one last glimpse at the sleeping angel. [It's a promise]
~~~~~
"Ohayo gozaimasu, Goku-sensei! What do you want to do next?" Paresu asked the next day. She had found her sensei outside practicing katas and tossed him one of the apples she snagged from the kitchen.
Polishing off the fruit in a matter of seconds, Goku brushed off his gi and regarded her warmly. "Today, I'll teach you how to use your ki for offense. Remember, this is to protect yourself," Goku said, growing serious. "I don't want you pickin' fights."
"Of _course_!" Paresu responded, slightly offended that Goku might even think such a thing, but not enough so to complain. "I'd never use what your teaching me to hurt people. One of the reasons I like you so much is because you watch out for people like me." She gave him a wink and waggled her finger in his face. "I think that's kinda cute."
Goku smiled for a moment before continuing with the lesson. "Focus your ki again, but this time, direct it toward your hand and hold it in." As Goku spoke, Paresu followed his every word, holding one hand forward to help guide her thoughts. "Now take some of your ki and squash it into the ball, got it?" Paresu nodded and giggled a bit, finding her mentor's instruction inadvertently funny.
The teen focused her ki, slowly building the ball of energy in her mind. With a deep breath, she opened her fist and the orb sprang out. Unfortunately, the ball was small and slow, wavering pitifully before dispersing entirely. "Ano, what happened?"
"You need to concentrate more. Try to define its shape, size, and speed. Also, the more ki you pour into the ball, the stronger it will be."
Paresu tried harder and the next one was faster and larger. It moved off fairly quickly, but exploded in a small blast on its own only a few meters away. "Demo..."
"Don't let it get you down. This is harder than flying, but you'll get it. Keep trying!"
Paresu fired again and again, each progressive ki ball getting bigger, faster, and stronger. An hour or so later, she suddenly collapsed in a heap, exhausted. "What... happened...?"
"Using ki is like actual physical labor. You have to work to get stronger. The more you train, the longer and harder you can push yourself. Try not to tire yourself out though. You have to know your limitations."
"You... could've said that... earlier..."
"Haha, gomen!" he laughed. "This _is_ my first time as a sensei, ne? Let's take a break now. We'll continue when you're feeling better." After a few hours, a short nap, and another quick meal, the two returned outside. Goku nodded for the girl to try again and he was pleasantly surprised when Paresu shot off a ki bolt without hesitation. It shot into the distance and blasted a crater into the ground. "See? Practice and some rest was all you needed."
"Hai, I feel much better. Will you teach me how to manipulate the ki ball?"
"You mean like Kamehamehas and stuff? That's just a lot of stuff you learn on your own."
"So how do I do it? Just change the shape of my ki?"
"Sorta," Goku shrugged. He shook his head and laughed. "I guess I'm not very good at this, huh?"
"Not at all!" Paresu argued. "You're the best sensei I've ever had." [You're also the _first_ sensei I've ever had, but then you don't need to know _that_, do you?] she added to herself.
The rest of the day passed as quickly as those before, Paresu engrossed in the lessons Goku enjoyed giving. Paresu's skill had increased considerably by the end of the day and she was pulling off more and more advanced techniques. However, one thing had been bugging her the entire day.
"Um, do I _really_ have to say the name like that when I do it?"
Goku thought for a moment and shook his head no. "Not really, but I've found it helps me focus during battle. In the middle of a fight, you won't always have the chance to concentrate real hard."
"Okay, makes sense."
~~~~~
"Shimatta! Gomen, Goku-sama!" Paresu ran over to her sensei as the Saiyajin clutched his face in agony.
"You... picked up on the Taiyo-ken... pretty fast, huh?" Goku groaned, rubbing his eyes. "Just, warn me next time, 'kay?"
"Y-you sure you're okay?" Paresu asked again, a bit frantic.
"Yosh', yosh'. I been hit with worse." Inwardly, Goku groaned again. [Not by _much_ worse...]
~~~~~
They trained for several months and Paresu's ki grew stronger. She was happy to find that after a while, she could really cause some damage. Branching out, she soon developed a couple attacks of her own and could actually surprise her sensei with them while they sparred.
"Kamehameha!!!" Paresu's beam shot forward, flashing across the sky directly for Goku. Smacking it away, the Saiyajin fired is own, but Paresu dodged it. He swung it back around and hit her in the back, making sure it was only strong enough to knock her out of the air. Paresu fell to the ground and landed with a thump. "Itai..."
The man shot down to meet her, but she was prepared. Waiting to the last second, Paresu focused her ki. "Rasenjo Katta!!!" Wind whipped up around her and Goku barely jumped away in time. He was still in one piece, though his gi had seen better days. Several slashes had cut through and the front was in ribbons.
"Oi, not bad! You almost got me with that!"
"Arigatou, this is harder than it looks," she laughed. Preparing to attack again, she took a short step forwards and stumbled, almost falling on her face. Looking down, she noticed a lace of one boot was loose. Bending over at the waist, she started to fix it, absent-mindedly thinking that her idol had a perfect view of her rear. That is, he would if her were looking.
And that brought her up short. What was she just thinking? Was she really making a conscious effort to flirt with him? When Paresu stood again, she turned away from the Saiyajin. The teen admitted to having some very strong emotions for the warrior, but this was something completely different. She had never out-right made a pass at him and this was uncomfortably close to doing just that. [What _am_ I doing...? He's married... sort of...]
"Paresu-chan? Doshitano?" Goku asked, concerned by her sudden withdrawl. Tears were running down her cheeks now, but she stood completely still. "Why are you crying?" He walked over to her, about to place a hand on her shoulder.
Suddenly, Paresu felt an irrational anger. [Why doesn't he understand!? Why!?] "Get away from me!!" Paresu screamed, pushing away. "You just don't understand!!"
"Understand what?" Goku asked bewildered.
"Just...go away!!!" She ran away from him, refusing to listen the little voice in her head begging her to stay and let him know how she feels. Tripping, he fell to her knees weeping uncontrollably.
"Paresu-chan..." Goku was very confused. What didn't he understand? "Paresu-chan," he murmured, crouching next to her. "Tell me what's wrong..."
Before she knew what she was doing, Paresu jumped up and flew away at top speed. Goku sighed and restrained himself from following her. [I hope she'll be okay...]
~~~~~
[What am I _doing_? _Why_ am I doing this?] Paresu stopped in the air. Slowly, she landed, sitting on the barren, featureless immensity of the Seishin proper. The plain was devoid of life, completely flat for she and Goku never trained this far from the compound. [Why do I feel like this?] Paresu got up and walked along for a bit, not moving father away nor moving closer to her sensei's position so far off. The wind whipped her brown hair about her face, the only evidence of anything at all in this place. [I _do_ lo... Then why did I run away? I-I need to face him... Tell him how I feel...that I...love him...]
Paresu turned back suddenly, running back towards the house. She was too distraught to fly and she kept tripping on absolutely nothing at all. Tears were flowing freely down her smooth skin, flying out in the air as she ran. She fell for what felt to be the hundredth time, but this time, she didn't hit the ground. Paresu was vaguely aware of arms around her and being lifted gently off the ground. Goku held her close to his chest, carrying her crying form as he walked. She was so vulnerable and he felt an enormous desire to protect her. "Shhh... just relax. It'll be okay," he said quietly, comfortingly.
Paresu looked up into his face, barely able to discern his angular features from behind the layer of tears. "Ano, Goku- sama... I... I --"
"Shhh, don't speak."
"Demo... I have to tell you... I... I..."
"It's okay. I know." Somehow feeling better, Paresu leaned back into his embrace and fell asleep.
~~~~~
Paresu awoke still tired both physically and emotionally. [I'm back,] she thought blandly. She stumbled out of bed wearing some blue pajamas she only barely remembered getting into. Seated at the edge of the dias, Goku was quietly watching the expanse beyond.
Noticing her arrival, the Saiyajin put on a warm smile and greeted her cordially. "Ohayo gozaimasu, Paresu-chan. Ready to train today?"
"Um, Goku-sama... About the other day..."
Goku's face turned grave. He was very serious in his response, but his voice never left that kind inflection he so often used. "I understand, Paresu-chan. If you don't want to talk about it, don't force yourself. This doesn't change anything, does it?"
"Mmm... Iie, I guess not. Arigato, Goku-sama." Paresu felt monumentally better. Something about the Saiyajin had a calming affect on her, even when they sparred. It was very comforting being around him. Maybe that's why she fell in love with him, he was so kind.
"I hope you're ready today, 'caus I've got something special to show you."
"All right, just let me get changed." Paresu ran back to her bed and found her gi, quickly putting it on. She dashed back outside, but Goku wasn't there. Confused, she stopped short and looked around. Suddenly, she felt his presence behind her and she whirled to face an attack, but none came. "Why'd you do that?"
"Just showing you what I'll teach you today," he responded innocently.
It took her a second to process that. "You mean...Shunkan Idou!?"
Goku just smiled.
~~~~~
Goku stood at the end of the Tenkai, enjoying the breeze as it streamed through his hair. The world below looked so clean from up here; it was hard to see just how close it had come to destruction so many times. The Saiyajin smiled, glad that things were finally looking up. He put his hands on his hips and turned to young Namek-seijin next to him. "So, Dende, you're really gonna be the new Kami?" he asked.
"Yes, that's right. There's so much that needs to be done, I hope I'm up to the challenge. But, how have you been lately, Goku-san? I know what happened here, I'm sorry about your friends and fam--" but he stopped when he saw the man's smile and understood it was all right. "I know how the burdens of our choices can weigh so heavily, but we must remain strong." Emphasizing his point, Dende hefted the thick wooden staff Popo had passed on to him from the previous Kami.
Reflexively, Goku's hand rose to touch the scar that split his face. He had almost forgotten it was there, but the sudden reminder didn't hurt like he thought it might. "Yeah, but stuff like that goes with the territory, ne?" he joked.
"Indeed it does. It's been good seeing you, I hope we can talk again someday. But I have other matters to which I must attend. If you'll excuse me," the Namek-seijin bowed, then turned to walk away.
"Jaa ne!" Goku called to the yong man's back. As the green man left, Paresu stepped up next to the Saiyajin. "Where were you?" he asked.
"I had to apologize to Popo-san for sneaking in," she explained sheepishly. "I think he was surprised as I was that I actually made it up here."
"Just how did you make it up here?" Goku asked.
Paresu dug her toe into the tile, and mumbled something under her breath. Goku got the idea and let it drop. They stood quietly for a while, just watching the clouds float by. "So what are you going to do now?"
"Go home, rebuild. Train my son like I been meaning to." With a laugh, "And hope this doesn't start all over again."
"Will ever see you again?" the girl asked, concerned that she was going to lose him.
The man gave her his patented grin. "That's what Shunkan Idou is for." The teen brightened up and waved as he leapt off the Tenkai bowl, slowly flying away. "Jaa, Paresu-chan!"
"Jaa ne, Goku-sama!' she called after him. She stood there and watched her idol disappear into the distance. Deciding she would best be on her way as well, she too stepped over the edge flew home. [Just wait until you see this, niichan.]