Chapter 22
Konnichiwa minna-san!
*Crickets chirp*
Er Well, I understand why most of you probably don't recognize me. It's been 1 2 5 weeks since I last updated this story! 5 WEEKS?!
I bet you're all probably becoming fed up with my lack of updates, though I couldn't really help it with this one.
I wasn't depressed, nor was my computer not working.
The main problem was mostly too much schoolwork, plus the fact that I didn't have the urge to write that I usually have. Without that urge, I just never felt like writing, even when I did have time to. And what can be really frustrating, is that the longer you go without writing, the harder it is to get back into the habit of it.
It took me a long time and much effort, but I finally managed to get this chapter up. I hope you can all forgive me, though I will understand if you don't really want to read this story anymore.
Also, I've decided to find out who actually wants to be e-mailed when I update. I will have sent one last e-mail to the fabulous people whom I know have read this story at some time or other, but to the readers who didn't receive the e-mail, I say this. If you still want to be notified when I update, please tell me in a review, and tell me your e-mail address. If I were one of you, I'd probably would go on the mailing list, seeing as I take so long to update
I've always said this with every update, but I need reviews! Reviews help my inspiration and urge to become stronger and that usually means that I update faster! ^-^
Without further ado, here is Chapter 22 of The Unexpected! Enjoy! ^-^
Son Gohan knew down to the core of his being that this fight was hopeless. The only way he would be able to win would be to give in to his hidden power. To submit to the same, inhuman power that had been a part of him ever since the day he had been born; but he didn't want to bow down to it.
He knew what that beastly power was capable of, and he never wanted to experience anything similar to his fight with Cell ever again.
However, his rational side was truly the only thing that was stopping him from losing control of himself, and it was slowly weakening, its strength fading away because of some powerful poison. The poison was emitting from his Saiya-jin side - which was not becoming weaker, but stronger - and it was gaining strength far quicker than his human side was losing strength.
Even though the odds were very much against him, he couldn't help feeling excited at the prospect of this battle. His heart was racing, and his muscles were tightening, then relaxing, then tightening again, ready to react to the slightest attack that Bodu might throw at him.
Relief was also another emotion that was strangely coursing through his veins then. It was relief of the fact that as long as he was fighting Bodu his family and friends would be safe. He didn't care if he got hurt, as long as he could keep the Cehang-jin away from them.
He never put himself above anyone else any more. He had gained this trait during the time in which he had trained with his Tousan, ever since he had first transformed into the mystical golden Super Saiya-jin. After that crucial moment in his life, he had made a solemn promise to himself that he would never be selfish again - and that meant putting anyone else before him. He loathed being selfish - had loathed it ever since he had first began fighting. In his eyes, it was not a good attribute for a true, pure-hearted warrior to have.
Bodu was becoming impatient with Gohan, who seemed to be lost within his own thoughts. His teal eyes seemed clouded over, symbolising that he was in deep speculation. The Cehang-jin silently hissed, as he remembered that if Gohan didn't have that talent of being able to shield his mind, then he would still be able to see what the boy was thinking. He would be able to savor every emotion that came with every thought.
Deciding that he had had enough with waiting, he lunged forward and tried to kick Gohan painfully in the ribs, so that he could smirk with pleasure as the demi Saiya-jin gasped for air.
However, Gohan would not let himself be misled with such a foolish maneuver, and managed to block Bodu's knee with his own. It took much effort to keep the Cehang-jin's knee from simply pushing his own away and driving into his gut, because Bodu was far stronger.
With the sudden contact, both of the warriors' ki bloomed, extending their golden petals; and the light that shone from the auras brightened to an almost blinding level. Azure eyes glared at each other fiercely; one pair was only partially covered with one bang, while the other had many locks covering its gaze.
Bodu was somewhat taken aback by the severe hatred that he saw in Gohan's eyes. It was hatred, he realised, that came from the Saiya-jin half within Gohan, something that he had noted the boy to hide almost flawlessly until now.
As the burning sensation between both of their knees became almost intolerable, in perfect synchronisation they both broke away from each other. Pausing only for a moment to look into the other's narrowed eyes, they began to go full out on offence. Their kicks and punches caused loud explosions to erupt in the sky in fantastic flashes of light. It was like fireworks bursting strangely in the sapphire skies of the day, rather than the lapis voids of the night.
Piccolo's whole body shook with terror as he sensed the same, unforgettable ki: the one that had been Gohan's when he had fought Cell.
Everyone else could sense it too, and they were also horrified. The ki was so powerful that even the people who had a poor sense of ki could taste it.
Piccolo knew it was not Gohan's ki whom he sensed though - it was the Cehang-jin! "But how?! I thought he would not be able to use such ki!"
Gohan threw up his arms to shield himself from Bodu's onslaught. His arms were burning, and every time Bodu landed a blow upon them, blistering waves of pain would rush along his muscles. The pain seemed to be slowly spreading towards the rest of his body as well, like the venom of a cobra seeping into the nerves.
The Cehang-jin screamed and delivered a punch that Gohan could not stifle. The demi Saiya-jin was sent flying back a few feet, before arching his body forward so that he lost his momentum. When he saw that Bodu was not making any moves, he tightened his stance. It was a defensive stance; he knew he had to stay on the defensive, because offence was not in his favor at the moment.
His fists were clenched so tightly that he could feel his own nails digging into his skin. He could almost imagine sticky hot blood flowing from between his fingers and trickling down his slender wrists, darkening the color of his midnight blue wristbands. A tremor shook his whole body, and he realized with surprise that even in this bleak situation, the thought of blood was exciting him.
It will probably be my blood that is spilt in this battle
His golden aura surged as more excitement began to flow through his veins, seeming to numb the burning pain of his aching muscles. The Cehang-jin took this as a sign to continue, and darted towards Gohan, trying to kick the hybrid into the ocean. Gohan had been relieved of his distracting pain however, and responded by stopping Bodu dead with his elbow. Bodu showed the slightest sign of a smirk, before lashing out with his other leg, which Gohan also stopped.
Bodu growled at this, and began to launch a flurry of attacks at Gohan - all of which, Gohan dodged.
Gohan's turquoise eyes seemed to have lit up as he evaded every one of Bodu's assaults. Passion seemed to have entwined with his ki, and excitement was beginning to take control over his mind.
Yes! Fight! Battle! Wound! KILL!
His eyes widened as he heard that voice, the words echoing within his head. It was that voice whom he loathed: the warrior within him; his Saiya-jin side.
No! Don't fight! Show mercy! Let him live! He's only trying to get revenge for the death of his kind!
The other voice - so quiet in comparison with the other's threatening tone. The voice was the pacifist within him: his human side.
He continued to dodge Bodu's attacks, though he was becoming more divided inside of himself. The two voices within him were arguing with each other, each trying to show the other the negatives of their intents.
We must KILL Bodu! If we don't, he will kill everyone, including us!
But surely there is some other way! He only wants revenge for the loss of his race; it is understandable!
If he stands in my way, or tries to harm anyone else, then he must die! There is no other way!
Wait, there must be!
THERE ISN'T!
YOU DON'T KNOW THAT!
Gohan cried out, and soared towards the heavens so he would have a bit of time to regain his composure. Bodu let him go, knowing that there was no place where the half-breed could run to or hide.
I I can't take it any more! Why does this happen every time I fight? Usually I can handle it, but this time - this time it doesn't make any sense! I know I have to kill Bodu but at the same time I don't want to kill him! What should I do?!
It were the same conflicting voices who were tormenting him, the same ones who had troubled him when he had been losing to Cell
Bodu was becoming impatient again, and rose his gaze to see why the gaki had left in such haste. He became deeply troubled when he noticed that the boy seemed to be in a different world - he didn't even seem to be in his own body at that moment.
What is wrong with that idiot? Oh well. Whatever it is, this will wake him up!
The Cehang-jin outstretched an open palm, and let the golden ki begin to circulate in his hand, bubbling with warmth and power. When he had gained enough ki - enough to get Gohan's attention anyway - he unleashed it.
As Gohan saw the golden comet speeding towards him, he shut off the quarrelling voices within his mind - he couldn't deal with them now - and concentrated on averting the blast. It was too close now; he couldn't try to outrun it. As the ball of ki edged closer, he threw out his hands to try and stop it. When the ki made contact with his hands, an intense feeling of heat licked at his skin, threatening to burn until there was nothing but raw bone.
Just like before
It was just like when he was in the Room of Spirit and Time with his Tousan, trying to deflect the Kamehameha.
It felt exactly the same
He had been so confused then. Memories of past battles had been flashing before his eyes, and the two voices within his soul had been arguing also, although they had been less distracting than they were now. His Saiya-jin side had eventually won the debate, and he had come to a startling conclusion
I can't be so weak! I depend too much on others!
He was in a different situation now, though. For the past week he had been relying solely on himself. He hadn't been able to turn to the others for help, because they had been against him. They had condemned him as evil.
Because of Bodu!
Bodu Oh how the mention of that name filled him with loathing. The Saiya-jin's voice was penetrating through his defences now, and he could no longer resist it. The human's voice could not even be heard any more, as if it had withdrawn into shadow. Nothing seemed to be holding him back from longing to kill Bodu now everything just made so much sense!
With a deafening scream, he flung the ki ball to the unseen heavens, as if it had been nothing but a beach ball.
Gohan's Saiya-jin half had fully taken over now. Revenge for all Bodu had done, increasing rage at how weak he was compared to the Cehang-jin, bloodlust and excitement, and the urge to protect Chikyuu-sei from any harm whatsoever, were fueling his slowly maturing ki, as sheer rage began to crush any other emotion that had existed in him. He could feel his muscles tightening and bunching up again, and his nails digging into his flesh.
Bodu suddenly flew up to attack Gohan again, not really caring that his ki blast had been flung so easily into non existence. As he launched a kick at the demi Saiya-jin, he was slightly taken aback as it was dodged effortlessly.
Gohan wasn't even aware of Bodu any more, only systematically darting between and blocking attacks. He wasn't focusing on any kind of plan that he could use to break through Bodu's defences - not caring that he needed strategy to be able to win this fight.
All of a sudden, the Cehang-jin was not there any more. Instead it was Cell who was attacking him - Cell whom he was fighting. Cell, who was so curious of Gohan's hidden power. Cell, who threatened to kill everyone Gohan held dear if he didn't reveal his hidden strength
NO! I WON'T LET THAT HAPPEN AGAIN!
With widened eyes, Gohan kicked Bodu away. So much force had been put into the kick, that Bodu doubled over in pain.
All of Gohan's mixed feelings formed into one of incredible fury, and he screamed as he gave in his last restraints and turned to that dragon who always appeared when he lost control. It began wrapping its long golden body around him like a snake, before exploding into the powerful aura of golden ki and blue lightning bolts.
Bodu finally managed to stand upright and look at the mystical transformation, though not the slightest trace of dread or distress could be seen upon his emotionless face.
As Gohan's hair began slowly to rise and find new placement, it suddenly fell, and an unbearable thorn struck his heart. His great aura of splendor vanished like a fire that had been doused with rain. Flaxen hair was swallowed up by the strong color of natural dark ebony, and caribbean eyes also regained their dimness.
The pain radiating from his heart was so powerful that he clutched at his chest, as if doing so would somehow relieve himself of his terrible anguish. His muscles coiled - as with every beat of his heart, misery was spreading throughout his body.
Wha-what happened?! What happened to my ki what is wrong with me?!
Opening his eyes - which he only realized now had been closed - he peered at Bodu, and gasped at what he saw; The Cehang-jin's aura was pulsating and becoming bigger.
As suddenly and unexpected as it had appeared, the stabbing pain vanished; as so did the emotions that had caused his transformation in the first place. What surprised him even more was that when the pain had vanished, Bodu's ki had also stopped rising.
With a look of pure hatred, he shouted at Bodu, "What did you do to me?!"
To be continued