Chapter 26
Ano Konnichiwa
*People stare*
Uh I deserved that. Anyway, the issue that was hindering me from updating is still at large - my brother is still living with us! Plus school's back, which means piles of homework again! -_-'
Hmm I wasn't even expecting to post this chapter today Well, I guess that's a good thing! The fact is, this chapter had been rotting in my computer's hard drive for weeks; I just wasn't able to complete it!
Arigatou gozaimasu for the reviews! You are all so sweet!
Hmm oh yeah! The term that I used in this installment - Tamanoo - means 'thread of life' in Japanese. I felt that it seemed very fitting for the name of Bodu's technique, so I used it!
I DON'T OWN DBZ!
"Why wasn't I allowed to kill the Cehang-jin?"
Brought out of his inner conflicts, Gohan looked back at Vegita, contemplating about his query. He knew of the Saiya-jin Prince's impatient and abrupt manner - it usually lead to him being overly arrogant and dishonest. Sometimes, the cold prince would exaggerate about things to such a point that he had actually done the complete opposite of what he had said.
However, this time he sounded sincere.
What does Vegita-san mean? Had the opportunity to kill Bodu been within his grasp?
Turning back to Piccolo, he waited as his mentor thought for a moment, trying to figure out how to word his explanation in the clearest and most precise way possible.
After a short silence, Piccolo began, "I will answer your question, Vegita, but first I must address about the Cehang-jin's individual powers."
Gohan peered out from the corners of his eyes to see how Vegita would respond to Piccolo's answer. He wasn't surprised as the Saiya-jin crossed his arms and began to tap his right arm - a common habit of his impatience. His eyes were narrowed, and his lips were drawn into a serious frown.
Having seen enough, the demi Saiya-jin regained his attention towards his sensei, his onyx eyes focused.
Piccolo paused until he had everyone's notice, and continued, "As I share the knowledge of the former Kami, I know of many foreign races - including the Cehang-jin - and am also enlightened with the knowledge of how some races live their lives. Fortunately, I know much of the Cehang-jin and their special ability, and was able to recollect that information not long ago.
"You see, when a Cehang-jin acquires a creature's form the process leaves their victim drained and in a state of unconsciousness. The Cehang-jin then has a choice: they can either kill their victim, or allow them to live-"
Interrupting, Kuririn suddenly questioned, "Out of pity?"
He immediately regretted his inquiry, as he noticed Piccolo's coal eyes constricting slightly from irritation.
Not wanting to cause any more trouble, he cried, "Gomen! Gomen nasai, Piccolo."
"However, the Cehang-jin do not let their sources live out of pity. There are different results from those two options. Allowing their 'captive' to live grants them the ability to drain the ki of their victim at any time of their choosing, and they add that extra ki to their own. They can do this so long as their victim is still alive.
"If their victim perishes because of some circumstance, the Cehang-jin would suffer. Its ki would drop to the lowest possible level by which its body could still sustain consciousness, and would likely remain that way for about six Chikyuu hours. After that period of time, the Cehang-jin must power up to regain their lost ki.
"In theory, when a Cehang-jin's source dies, the Tamanoo - ki chain - between the two is broken. Thus, the Cehang-jin would not be able to steal any more of the victim's ki - even if they were revived - without having to obtain their DNA pattern once more.
"Should it happen that a Cehang-jin decides to kill their opponent as soon as it has gained their form, they will only win the maximum of ki that the victim had when they were still living; this includes ki that was being hidden. In a way, it is safer for the Cehang-jin to do so, because they have a lesser risk of being killed by their own source-"
"You still haven't answered my question!" Vegita growled.
Piccolo scowled in retort and said, "I was about to, Vegita! Do not interrupt me again!"
Sneering, Vegita looked away.
He wasn't used to being put down by others - especially those whom he felt were inferior in comparison with himself.
To think that a Nameksei-jin is ordering me around! My father would be shamed by the concept of it!
"Now, let us say that the Cehang-jin is inflicted with death rather than his ki source. The same results would take place, though now the source would be reduced to the edge of consciousness instead of the Cehang-jin.
"I will now answer your question, Vegita. Gohan was already in a very critical situation when you were opting to kill Bodu. If you had proceeded with that course of action, Gohan would most certainly have died. Even if he is already unconscious, the one left living after the Tamanoo has been severed must still suffer.
"The price might not have been so high had Gohan not been affected with such a fatality; nevertheless, because he was already barely clinging to life, Bodu's death would have ensured his demise as well."
With furrowed eyebrows, Gohan frowned at Piccolo's statement. Was I really in such a state that Bodu's death? No! I was just unconscious
He was about to disagree with what Piccolo had said, though Piccolo cut him short before he even had a chance to whisper, "Don't be foolish, Gohan! You may have been unaware, but you were already suffocating before you were even in reach of touching the ocean's surface. Your windpipe was ruptured along with your spine, and when you add the fact that you were not able to swim because of your unconscious state and paralysis, you most definitely would have become an offering for the creatures of the deep!"
Gohan looked down at his shoes in shame, wondering why he had not figured out such an obvious matter for himself.
A soft gust of wind blew through his ebony hair with that realization, seeming to carry away with it the burden of his stubbornness.
He had let his arrogant Saiya-jin side triumph again - of that he was certain.
Piccolo waited a few moments longer for his words to sink in; he had used that same method with Gohan when they were training to face the Saiya-jin, and had found that Gohan would never forget what he had been told that way. Son Gohan remembered most of what he was taught.
When he was satisfied, Piccolo reverted his attention back towards Vegita. "Vegita, my information states that it was the Saiya-jin who overcame the Cehang-jin. Do you know anything that could be of use to us in our present situation?"
Vegita pondered and replied, "I have never fought a Cehang-jin before, as I was still young during the time that they were being terminated."
Lifting his head, Gohan said, "You forgot that the Cehang-jin can read their link's minds, Piccolo-san."
The human within him convulsed at what he had said - it was rude and terribly disrespectful to correct a sensei, especially Piccolo-san. Nevertheless, for some reason his Saiya-jin side felt that it was fitting revenge for Piccolo's unsubtle note of his ignorance.
Gohan shook his head and buried his face in his hand, irritated with his present state of mind. I'm more divided that I usually am He sighed mentally at that last thought.
Smirking at Gohan's last comment, Piccolo shot back, "I am already well aware of that ability, Gohan."
The half Saiya-jin winced at his teacher's cutting words, anticipating that he would be struck because of his discourteous demeanor. However, Piccolo's words were not what he had foreseen.
"Also, I know of how you were able to overcome it. You remembered your training."
The student's emotionless mask faulted for a moment, though soon regained its serious gaze. Nevertheless, Gohan's blushing shattered its merit. He cast his sight downwards, happy that his sensei had just commended him for his wit, yet embarrassed at the same time.
"What form of training?" Vegita asked bluntly.
Feeling that he was obliged to answer, he returned, "Mental. When I was young, Piccolo-san taught me how to form a cerebral barrier. This prevented anyone from being able to enter my mind - unless I allowed them to, or for some reason, the barrier was rescinded."
Vegita nodded in reply.
There was a brief stillness as all who were gathered tried to assimilate everything that had been said.
Gohan had many issues flashing through his mind, and he was carefully selecting which of them to ask. Following his selection, he listened as his quiet voice broke the quietude. "Piccolo-san? Was the unbearable pain inside of my heart caused by Bodu's ki draining technique?"
"Yes. The Tamanoo is connected between two persons' hearts."
"Okay"
Gohan looked down once more, seeking his next question. When he found it, he discovered that it was the most important one for him to put forward.
"Is there any sure way of killing Bodu?"
He tensed as his mentor flinched at the question. Piccolo was avoiding his gaze, reluctant to answer his question.
As his Saiya-jin half reemerged from the darkness, his frustration turned into fury, and he shouted at Piccolo telepathically, "IS THERE?!"
With a defeated sigh, Piccolo responded, ""
Son Gohan's fury began to subside as he further asked, "If I were to die, would there be a slight chance that Bodu could be killed?"
Everyone gasped with shock at Gohan's question, not believing if he had just spoken those words or not.
Chi Chi* felt as if a demon's sharp claws had suddenly ripped something away from her heart - just as she had felt when Son Goku died. She knew what the answer would be, though she didn't wish to hear it.
"If you died, even the weakest and most incompetent warrior would be capable of taking his life."
Closing his eyes, Gohan gracefully placed his hand upon his chest, feeling his own rhythmic heartbeat. As he pulled his hand away, he regarded it and then clenched it, declaring, "I would willingly give my life if my sacrifice would bring the end of Bodu's terror! At least that way" A tear fell as Gohan whispered his next words, "All of you would be safe!"
Goten whimpered as tears also began to fill his eyes, "Niichan"
A determined mask remained on Gohan's face as he ignored the worried murmuring that surrounded him.
I refuse to put myself first! If I do, everyone will die The same way Otousan did.
All of a sudden, he sensed the sickening presence of Bodu. Bodu's ki was strong and flaring - the Cehang-jin was furious. For some reason though, no one else could sense Bodu.
Piccolo noticed Gohan's change of focus, and asked, "What is it?"
Gohan sneered, ""
To be continued
Another cliffy! Well what did you expect?! LOL!
Well, you can review now if you wish. You can say you loved it, or say you hated it. You can say it's fine, or that I need improvement. You can even write the word 'blah,' if Fanfiction.net allows it! ^-^
And one more thing. If you want to be informed when I update, please tell me in a review and state the e-mail address you would like me to send the update to. Ja ne!