The Past Returns

Part Nine

Chi-Chi felt Apollo's lips on hers. It was soft, sensual, loving, everything a woman would imagine a kiss could be, but it also felt wrong. Something didn't feel right to her. It was as if he shouldn't be kissing her but someone else. The way his arms came around her and massage the center of her back in tiny circles sent off warning signs to Chi-Chi to pull away.

And she did.

"No. This isn't right." She gently touched her lips and resisted the strange urge to wipe the kiss off her lips vigorously. "This is too fast."

There was a bit of reluctance of Apollo's face but he only smiled. He cupped the side of her face. "It's okay. You've been through a lot. It's just that being here brought so many memories back. I was just too quick to relive the moment. We'll have plenty of memories to make once we marry."

"I'd like to go back to the palace now. There's a lot that has happened to me that I need some time to myself to absorb and accept it before venturing out. Everything is moving too fast for me," Chi-Chi explained.

'Maybe I did move too fast for her, but the quicker she falls for me, the better things will be.' Apollo held a hand out to her. "Whatever you want."

They rode back to the palace with Chi-Chi being quiet and Apollo talking. When he escorted Chi-Chi back to her room, he planted a kiss on her forehead and promised to bring her to dinner.

Chi-Chi pulled off her shoes and collapsed on the bed, tired and confused. She didn't know why she pulled back from the kiss. If they were in love once, she would've welcomed the kiss. She would've kissed back but she didn't.

"I wish I could remember," Chi-Chi thought to herself. She rolled on her back and stared at the top of the canopy for endless minutes before she finally drifted to sleep.

Apollo entered one of the fighting rooms where Kiro and Kira were fighting together. They stopped when they saw Apollo entering the room.

"Gather our strongest warriors. It's time to begin our destruction of Earth."

****

Ten minutes later, Apollo's war room was filled his best warriors-Kira, Kira, Poseidon, Siren, Morpheus, Scorpio, Midas, Helios, Taurus, and Hynos to name a few. They all sat at a large, rectangular table where in the middle of it was a holographic image of the planet Earth.

"Since Kiro, Kira, Helios and Taurus, easily defeated the Saiyans on Earth, it's time to conquer them and destroy their planet for good. I don't want to raise the risk of the Saiyans coming here even if they are weak. I want a quick and merciless strike. I require only four of you to attack four parts of the world at the same time. Their resources would be divided and it will be an easy fight for you," Apollo explained to his warriors. "Any volunteers?"

"I wouldn't mind going to see that handsome Saiyan again, but I think I killed him so I won't go," Kira said.

Poseidon smiled greedily as he stared at the holographic image of the planet. All that water intrigued him. "Earth has a vast quantity of water. I'd love to see it under my power. I'll go."

"I think I'll go as well," the song stress Siren said. "From Kira's story, the men there are so weak and gullible. They will easily fall under my power."

"There's no challenge for me," Helios said. "I'll stay here."

"I'll go as well," Hynos--the God of Sleep said. "I'll put the people under perpetual sleep."

"I'll go to," Midas said. "It sounds like fun."

"Very well then. Poseidon, Siren, Hynos and Midas will go. Each of you will take your own ship and attack separate parts of the planet. I trust you all to take which piece of the planet you deem fit and get it done as soon as possible. After you had your fun toying with the planet, I want it destroyed. The quicker I'm done with Earth, the better I like it. This meeting is over."

Poseidon, Siren, Hynos and Midas left together to discuss their plans on what piece of the planet they want while the others left to go about their own business, leaving Kiro and Kira alone with Apollo.

"What are you doing back so soon anyway?" Kiro asked. "I thought you were going to spend the whole day with Chi-Chi."

"She felt uncomfortable so I brought her back. I feel a part of her is resisting," Apollo said.

"If you want, Kira and I can put some cameras in her room to spy on her," Kiro explained. Apollo looked as if he might consider the offer. A wicked smiled appeared on Kiro's face. "We can put one over the bed or better yet, her private bath," Kiro joked.

Apollo grabbed Kiro out of his seat with one hand around his neck and held the man two feet over the floor. "And just why would a camera be required in her bathroom?" he asked angrily.

Kiro struggled out of Apollo's grasp but his grip was like titanium steel. He couldn't break free. "N-nothing," he said in strained voice. "It…was…a joke."

"A joke?" Apollo questioned angrily. "You think it's funny to view my fiancée in a private moment?"

"N-no," Kiro said in a rasp voice as Apollo's grip tightened. "I-it would…be wrong… of me…to do so."

"Please, Apollo," Kira requested. She saw her brother turning blue and knew she had to do something. "Kiro meant no harm. I'll… I'll personally see that Kiro does no such things."

"You better," Apollo threatened, "Or I'll kill you and your brother." Apollo released Kiro and he fell to the floor. Kiro coughed heavily gasping for air. Apollo turned his back and left the room. Kira walked over and kicked her brother in his rear. "You idiot! What were thinking saying something like that in front of Apollo?!"

"I didn't think he would take it seriously," Kiro coughed again.

"But you were!" Kira yelled. "This is the same man who killed his mother and had us kill his sister! Do you think he would hesitate to kill you if you annoyed him?!"

"Well, obviously no!" Kiro coughed again as he rubbed his sore throat. "Do you think I would actually say that if I knew he would've reacted this way?!"

"I don't know! You are stupid!" Kira yelled. She scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Brothers."

****

She was in heaven kissing this wonderful man on his magical cloud.

Goku and Chi-Chi zoomed on Nimbus as they flew to Mt. Kiwi to get feathers from the Fire Eater Bird. It was Chi-Chi who brought up the suggestion to kiss. Goku didn't know what it was until Chi-Chi explained it to him and told him they would have to do it at the wedding. After some gentle coaxing, Goku eased into the idea.

He was startled at how close Chi-Chi was to him, but relaxed when Chi-Chi said people are close when they kiss. When he pressed his lips to Chi-Chi's, he didn't feel anything, at least he didn't think he did aside from his stomach fluttering and the odd tingles on his body. Was he suppose to feel that? While Goku was confused, Chi-Chi sounded as if she liked it and she knew what she was doing in the kiss, especially with the soft sound she made when he kissed her.

When Chi-Chi pulled back, there was a blush on her face. "That was amazing, Goku."

"It was?" Goku said confused. "I don't understand. This is my first kiss. I don't know what happens."

"It's my first kiss, too, Goku. Some people feel the same thing while other people feel different things in a kiss. Did you like it?" she asked hopefully.

"It was okay, I guess. I'm not sure why my body tingled or my stomach feels weird."

"That's a good thing, Goku."

"It is?" Goku said surprised.

"Yes, it doesn't seem like you hate it. Do you want to try again?" Chi-Chi asked and her cheeks turned pink.

Goku shrugged. It didn't hurt. "All right."

Chi-Chi looked excited and threw her arms around Goku's neck, which startled him and almost made them both fall off Nimbus, but Goku held an arm around Chi-Chi and kept their balance.

"Don't think about it," Chi-Chi advised him. "Just feel and let it happen."

Goku nodded and clumsily brushed his lips over Chi-Chi's. 'Feel. Don't think,' Goku told himself. This was kind of like his training on the Lookout where he did his meditating and he had to feel everything around him and let nature take its course instead of thinking about everything. Once he let his feelings take over, Goku started to relax. He started to kiss back and like the warm feel of Chi-Chi's lips on his. His other senses were becoming alive and he started to like the way Chi-Chi smelled and having her close to him didn't feel that bad although it was still weird to be so close to someone. 'This kissing isn't so bad.'

Goku pulled back. Chi-Chi's blush was even deeper than before. "Did you like it, Goku?"

"It was nice, though it still feels kind of weird."

Chi-Chi only laughed and embrace Goku, startling him again. "You'll learn. It won't feel so weird after you get used to it."

Chi-Chi opened her eyes and sat up. Her heart was racing and she looked around confused. The dream felt so real as if she was actually there. "Was that real? Am I starting to remember? Who was that man?"

****

Vegeta sat in the rec room of the ship. He was sitting on a window sill staring out into the space. The argument between Gogeta and him rang in his mind. He had been in several arguments before but having Gogeta disagree with him really affected him.

'Kakarot's right. I have become soft. It's not a surprise. Ever since that goof Kakarot entered my life.' He shook his head. 'I need to spar with someone.'

The doors opened but he didn't pay too much attention to it as he looked out the window.

"Vegeta?"

Vegeta turned his head slightly and saw Gogeta standing in the room. He chose to look away from his son and looked out the window. "What do you want?"

"I came to apologize."

Vegeta looked back at Gogeta, surprised. "You did?"

Gogeta walked over and sat across from Vegeta on the window sill. "I didn't mean what I said about you. I'm sure you have your reasons for saying all that stuff about Iris although I don't understand. You never mean any harm when you give me advice. I'm not sure why I got mad like that."

"Hormones," Vegeta muttered.

Gogeta laughed and rubbed the back of his head. He sobered and said, "I never got to thank you for coming on this trip with us. It really means a lot to me that you're coming to help save my Mom… and get back at that woman," he added with a smile. "I think Iris said her name was Kira."

"That's her name," he grumbled.

"Do you ever think about Bulma?" Gogeta asked suddenly.

Startled, Vegeta looked at Gogeta. "What?"

"Do you ever think about her? I was only five when she died so I don't remember much about her, except that she was nice and young when she died. You never talk much about her and I know how you are with your feelings so I wondered if you ever miss her?"

"Why are you asking me this?" he asked on edge.

"I just saw my Dad and he's missing mom and is completely worried about her. I started thinking about you and your wife and I wondered if you ever missed her."

"It's none of your business," Vegeta grumbled.

"What's wrong in admitting you miss her?" Gogeta asked.

"What's wrong with you minding your own business?" Vegeta snapped back.

Gogeta knew the subject was still sensitive to Vegeta and it was best that he backed off. By his reaction, it was clear that he did miss Bulma but he didn't want to talk about it.

Gogeta sighed, giving up and looked out the window. "Goten and I were just talking to Dad and he is really upset about Mom being kidnapped. He knows she's alive but he said there's something about mom that isn't right. He doesn't know what it is. He just feels it."

"I wouldn't worry. Kakarot senses your mother is alive and since Apollo wants her as his wife, he wouldn't do anything to harm her," Vegeta assured Gogeta.

"Those guys got us when our guard was down and our strength was low. Only a coward would attack like that. Of course they didn't know that." Gogeta folded his arms and smirked at Vegeta. "Still, I'll get them. I'll show them the mistake it is to mess with a Saiyan's family."

Vegeta smirked proudly. His blood ran strong in Gogeta. Of course it did help with Vegeta telling his son about the Saiyans and how he should always have his pride. "You're acting like a true Saiyan. We'll both get them. You're also forgetting we have the advantage. When we fought them, we weren't at our fullest strength but they think it is. They'll be the ones off guard in the rematch," he explained with wicked smirk.

It was then that Gogeta noticed that he and Vegeta had the same body posture of their arms crossed and they were both smirking. That didn't make him comfortable so Gogeta unfolded his arms. He placed his hands on his knees and looked at Vegeta with a goofy smile on his face.

"You know, Iris said the craziest thing the other day."

Vegeta's smirk was replaced with a frown. "Such as?"

"Well, she thought you were my uncle. She said we kind of look alike. How stupid is that?" Gogeta laughed.

'Not that stupid,' Vegeta thought.

Gogeta noticed Vegeta didn't respond. "You okay, Vegeta? Don't you have anything to say about that?"

"Of course I'm all right, but why is she so interested in you and why would she make a comment like that?"

"I don't know. I thought it was silly and thought you would get a good laugh out of that."

"I'm telling you--she is not to be trusted," Vegeta said and noticed Gogeta staring at him. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I'm trying to see why she thought there was a resemblance between us. I don't see anything."

Vegeta growled and got off the window sill. "There is no resemblance! That woman is playing with your mind!"

"Why would she do that?" Gogeta asked confused.

"I don't know, but there is no resemblance between us. We're not related so the thought of it is ridiculous," Vegeta said and stormed out of the room.

"What's his problem?" Gogeta wondered. Vegeta didn't respond the way Gogeta thought he would and that caused an unsettling feeling to arise in him. Of course his stomach growled signaling he was hungry and the thought was forgotten. He decided to go in the kitchen where he found his older brother in the kitchen eating. "Hungry?" he teased.

"You bet!" Goten said.

Gogeta sat across from him and joined in on the eating. "Miss Marron?"

Goten nodded. "This is the longest we've been apart, but I'll do anything to save my mom and Marron understands my reason for going."

The doors opened and Goku entered. "There you two are. I wondered where you went after our talk." He went to the refrigerator and pulled out some more food and placed them on the table. "It's times like this I miss your mother."

"I know what you mean," Gogeta said as he munched on a drumstick. "This Capsule Corp. food is good, but Mom's food was always the best."

"We'll get her back, Dad. I know it," Goten said determined.

"You got that right," Goku assured his son.

Gogeta saw Goten and Goku sitting next to each other eating. He noticed how much they look alike even now. Their eating habits were the same, too. The only difference was that Goku's build was bigger and his hairstyle was different from his son's. Goten was an exact copy of Goku as a child and from stories by Gohan and his mom, Goten acted a lot like Goku. He remembered when Goten turned sixteen that Chi-Chi thought it was best that Goten change his hairstyle. Goten was starting to look a little too much like Goku that everyone was starting to mistake one for the other. Gogeta laughed to himself at the few times he mistook his father for his brother and his brother for his Dad. The only person who could tell the difference was Chi-Chi.

Gogeta then thought about Gohan. Gohan didn't look exactly like Goku but he did have some favorable characteristics like his father's eyes, eyebrows and smile. In fact all the boys seem to inherit Goku's eyes and his innocence, but then again Chi-Chi can be innocent herself sometimes. Gogeta then thought about his own eyes. His was like Goku's right?

After eating with his father and brother, Gogeta headed for his room to go to bed. He stopped by the mirror on the wall to look at himself. He thought about Vegeta and Goku. Now that he thought about it. His hair was styled like Vegeta's but it wasn't like that as a kid. Gogeta wasn't sure why he decided to style his hair like Vegeta's but kept the front bangs that Goku had on his hair. He examined his features more closely. His eyes were a little like Goku's but not completely like Gohan and Goten's eyes were. In a strange way, it did resemble Vegeta's a little bit, he told himself. Gogeta made several facial expressions in the mirror; sometimes he looked more like Goku and at other expressions he could swear there was a bit of Vegeta there. Gogeta looked at his build. He wasn't short like Vegeta. He was taller than Vegeta. In fact his body was shaped more like Goku's.

Gogeta shook his head. "What's going on? I'm so confused. I wish Mom was here so I can talk to her. She'd know what was wrong with me."

It was then that Gogeta noticed his parent's gift on his desk. He had taken it out when he unpacked his other things but he hadn't given it a second thought until now.

'Mom said that I have to come to terms with my past before I face the future. Maybe that gift holds the answers to my questions.' He went over to the desk to unwrap the gift. He took his time removing the orange bow, tearing off part of the blue wrappings and carefully opening the box. He looked inside and blinked confused. "What in the world?"

To Be Continued

Chi-Chi: ROFLOL! Your review had me laughing! Hee. Hee. I love it! ChiChi probably won't believe you if you say that to her. I think Goku would break it down a little more delicately than that. Lol! You can't snap out of a memory loss unfortunately.

Jen: Thanks! I love Charlie Brown. I wish someone would smack Lucy. Hee. Hee. Cliffhangers bring you back, but I'm keeping a tight lip about that whole Gogeta/Goku/Vegeta thing. You'll just have to wait. Heh. Heh. This cliffhanger is worst than the last one.

Helga96: I think it's fun ChiChi lost her memory. Makes the story more interesting!

Royal Princess: LOL! Well, even Vegeta has a sensitive side.

Midnight: I bet Vegeta ate all the food, too! Hee. Hee. You know a lot worst things can happen to ChiChi and Apollo. It's gonna be something when they get there. Heh. Heh.

Moon Girl: You should be midterm free now! Yea, you're not going to kill me yet. Yes, I must leave you dangling. Ooh, maybe I should've let ChiChi kiss Apollo back. LOL! I'm so mean!

Xephon: Apollo's a bad, bad man. Oh, I love it when Goku's that mad! Of course it only happened once I think. He never got THAT mad again. I wish the English version had used some of the Japanese dialogue to show just how mad he was during that battle and how much of his hidden Saiyan side came out. Of course I wouldn't want him that mad at me. I'll just point to the other person and say 'He did it.'

Lady Athena: Actually, Apollo was honest about the Saiyans being a ruthless, barbaric race who killed lots of people and conquered planets, but yeah Apollo needs to pay. Yeah, something is happening between Iris and Gogeta but I'm not saying what. Hee. Hee. Those death glares from Vegeta are nothing but death glares. I hugged him, but I had Midnight Goddess threatening to hurt him if he hurt me. LOL!

SSJ Chika: Iris is just curious and under the circumstances I can't blame her.

Chuquita: There's a reason about ChiChi's memory, but I'm not saying yet. I was referring about Iris when I wrote that line. Oh, well. Apollo's evil but everyone loves a good villain especially when they finally fall.

CB: I hope you're feeling better. You can't blame Gogeta for responding like that. Both arguments from Vegeta and Gogeta are justifiable. Gogeta doesn't know Vegeta's his father and that he is looking out for him. He doesn't understand.


Danichan: Let the party began!! There's a reason about ChiChi's memory, but I'm not saying yet. I'm so mean! I think you already know about Iris and Gogeta.

GD: LOL! You're the only Apollo fan here. I had thought about a story where ChiChi loses her memory, but there are some here on ff.net but mine is a lot different than those versions and I'm a bit mean to Goku and ChiChi as usually in it, but it works out. Heh. Heh.

GOGI: Thanks.

Gogirl: Really want him to die or me for writing it? Heh. Heh. You can guess what will happen but I won't say. Mwahahahaha! Hmm, Goku die? I guess someone should. Why should it always be the bad guys? We should have a sacrifice like Goku in the Cell Games. Truthfully, I have thought about killing someone good off. I haven't decided who if I should do that. I may end it differently. At first I wasn't going to kill Bulma off in UL but then I did so who knows.

Lady Kouga: It's okay. Write what you can.