It was about noon the next day before the Capsule Corp had any more
visitors. Gohan hadn't gone into one of his screaming fits since the other
day, which relieved most of them except for Goku. He could still sense
Gohan suffering just as much as he did when he thrashed... He was concerned
that he didn't have enough energy left to fight it off like he used to.
This was the current thought on mind when someone burst into the room.
"I CAME AS SOON AS I HEARD!!!"
Goku looked up to see Krillin in the doorway, panting heavily. "Hi, Krillin!" He chirped. "What took ya? He's been sick for almost three days... I thought Bulma rung you guys up..."
18 and Maron came in, 18 looking rather apathetic. "I said, I came as soon as I heard..." Krillin sighed. "18 here JUST remembered about Bulma's call..."
"Sue me, I barley know the kid," 18 sneered. Krillin gawked, while Goku laughed nervously.
"You know enough about him to know I WOULD WANT TO KNOW IF HE'S DYING!" Krillin shot. 18 scowled and looked off. "Sorry about her, Goku, but how is Gohan?" Krillin walked up beside him and sat down.
"Not good. Bulma got a hold of Mirai and he said the chances of him living are 25%..."
Krillin looked to the ground, grabbing his knees tight. "No... I never thought I'd outlive the lug..." He said unhappily. "Darn it! Why couldn't it be one of us?! At least we've lived our lives..."
"Krillin! You let Bulma attack me!" Yamcha screamed and ran in, holding his arm in pain. "She practically stabbed me with that needle!" Seeing that he got no smiles made him concerned. "Whoa, he's that bad, huh?" He came in and sat down by Goku.
"Worse," Krillin muttered. "Basically, what Goku went through was a walk in the park compared to how bad Gohan has it..."
"..."
"I can't believe this is happening to him, it isn't fair," Goku said quietly. "I don't know if our family can survive Gohan's death..."
"Don't talk like that, Goku! He still has a chance to live!" Krillin said adamantly, standing up. "Since when do you give up this easily? WAKE UP!" He said enthusiastically. Goku didn't look as convinced. He was still looking at the ground, a sad look in his eyes. "When Gohan was captured by Radditz, and you knew you practically had no chance of winning, what did you do?"
"I got Piccolo's help," Goku said glumly. Suddenly, realization hit him. "DENDE!!!!! He can heal Gohan!!!" He jumped up happily. "I am so stupid! Thank you, Krillin! You always have the greatest ideas!!!!!" He got Krillin in a big bear hug.
"Not...exactly...what I meant..." Krillin gasped.
"I'll be right back!" Goku giggled and teleported away. Five seconds later, he came back with a very confused looking Dende.
"What the--?" Dende muttered, almost falling over from surprise. "Goku, what is going on?"
"HEAL!" Goku instructed as if he was a dog, pointing at Gohan. It took a moment to realize that he meant Gohan.
"What's wrong with him?" Dende asked as he walked up to him, holding out his arms.
"He's super duper sick!" Goku said. "You have to heal him or else he's going to die!"
Krillin slapped his forehead, while Yamcha could only laugh lightly.
"I... I've never healed the sick before..." Dende said.
"HEAL HIM NOW!!!" Goku yelled. Dende cowered as he began his healing treatment on Gohan. Everyone watched in anticipation as he healed... and healed.... and healed... Eventually, about a minute went by, and there was no effect on Gohan.
"I figured as much... If senzu beans couldn't help you Goku..." Dende said. "I'm sorry, I tried..."
"STINK!!!" Goku screamed in frustration. "I thought for sure it would work..."
"Stink?" Yamcha asked.
"Gochi says it..." He said.
"Can I go back to the lookout yet?" Dende asked.
************
"Isn't your time machine ready?" Bulma asked. Mirai sighed on the face of the laptop.
"Yeah, I'm just looking for the medicine," He grunted. "It's not easy to find, but it's stronger than the stuff your giving Gohan. He'll probably need it, it'll up his chances to fifty percent if you start using it right away,"
"Phone me as soon as you get some," Bulma pleaded. "Mirai..."
"Yes mom?"
"How much longer will Gohan last if this kills him...?"
Mirai paused. "About two more days... His vitals will show signs of slight improvement, then the disease will strike him down..."
"Oh Kami..." Bulma murmured. "He could be dead in two days..."
"That's when the virus will either have to crumble underneath the medicine or overcome it,"
"I still can't believe this is happening," Bulma grunted. "I wish it was me..."
"If it was you, no one would be around to tell everyone what to do!" Mirai laughed. "You take your genius for granted,"
She laughed with him. "Your right, Mirai... Wow, you've grown up so much since we saw you off fourteen years ago..."
A warm smile came over his slightly aged yet still young face. "Yeah, well..."
"I'm going to go talk your father into eating. He hasn't come out of training since he heard of Gohan's diagnosis,"
"Sounds like him. I promise I'll be there as soon as I get the medicine, okay?"
"Yeah... And make sure it's within the next two days..." Bulma laughed nervously. Mirai smiled slightly.
"I'll do everything in my power to be there," He whispered. "See ya, mom,"
The screen went blank. Bulma let her smirk fade. Being unsure of whether or not Gohan would be alive in the next two days scared her. Greatly.
**************
Videl stared at the top of her ceiling. She couldn't stop thinking about her most recent visit with Gohan. Everyone around him seemed depressed and unmotivated, an unusual atmosphere for the place. She had a horrible feeling it had to do with Gohan's condition, and how he was becoming less responsive to her presence. Before, she always could pick up tiny bits of signals that he recognized that yes; it was her talking to him. Today, he didn't even respond to her holding his hand.
Sleep fought it's way to her, and she was unable to dodge it any longer.
**************
Another day inched by, and Mirai still hadn't gotten in touch with Bulma. She KNEW he wouldn't forget, so he must not have found the medicine. Everyone became very optimistic when, late that night, he showed signs of waking up soon.
"The medicine must be working, then! Alright!" Krillin said happily. 18 and Maron had long gone back to the house, but Krillin insisted on staying by Goku and Gohan's side through the whole thing, wanting to be the first to know if something happened. Bulma simply stood back while they cheered for Gohan, knowing that this wasn't nearly the end. 'He's waking up too soon...' She thought to herself wearily. 'Maybe... Maybe we won't need the better medicine...'
"I can't believe I let myself think he wouldn't make it," Goku said, feeling extremely relieved. "As soon as he gets up, I'm taking him out for a junk food binge!"
Bulma smiled faintly. She couldn't bring herself to destroy the hope she saw in Goku for the first time in three days. Maybe if he stayed positive... It would help Gohan.
But nothing could shake off the dread she felt about the next day, the deadline for Gohan's life that Mirai gave them.
***************
Videl got up early to go check on Gohan, and by the time she walked out of her house it was seven. She landed by the Capsule Corp about half and hour later, deciding to take her mini-jet this time. When she walked into Gohan's room, she was in for a great surprise.
"Oh my gosh..." She muttered, seeing him yawning and stirring. "He's... Almost awake..." She saw his parents on the sofa just beyond his bed, and they were fast asleep. In disbelief, she ran up to Gohan. "Gohan, are you awake?!" She exclaimed, and shoved him slightly.
"Not so loud..." He moaned. "I'm tired..."
She felt tears come forward instantly. "Oh, you!" She cried and hugged him tight. Confused, Gohan opened his eyes. "You are such a moron!"
"This isn't my house..." He moaned. "You aren't my mom..."
"Of course I'm not, stupid!" Videl laughed, pulling herself away from him. "You have been out with this stupid heart disease thing for three days, bookworm!"
He started laughing as she sat down in a chair, and she couldn't help but at least smile. "Three days?" He asked, voice a bit weak. "Wow, you serious?"
"Everyone was really worried," She replied quietly. A concerned look crossed Gohan's face and he looked around, and saw his parents sleeping on the couch.
"Wow, you weren't kidding," He whispered, looking back to her. "At least I'm up. Man, I've felt better, though," He started laughing as he rubbed his heart. "Heart disease, huh?" He 'hmm'ed about it thoughtfully, then realized where he must be. "Am I at the Capsule Corp?" Videl nodded. "...And this is the first time you've visited me?" This time, it sounded like he already knew the answer, but was looking for reassurance.
"Well, I..." She started, blushing slightly. "No..." Gohan raised an eyebrow. "When you didn't show up to tutor me, I got curious!" She said defensively.
"Hey, calm down!" He insisted, waving his hands in front of him, declaring his innocence. "I just didn't know why you would be so concerned about me..."
She narrowed her eyes, and looked down. "I was just coming to pummel you for not coming, and when I saw you so sick... I mean, you were screaming and thrashing about..."
It was Gohan's turn to be embarrassed. "I wish you hadn't seen me like that," He muttered. Videl blinked a few times.
"Why?"
"I don't know, I'm sorry for worrying you, though,"
She smiled slyly. "I forgive you this time!"
"You're still a jerk," He said happily. "Though, that's not what I recall from being asleep!"
Her face went blank. "You... remember?" She asked. He began to laugh.
"Not much, I'm afraid!" Came the reply. "I remember a lot of pain..." He said quietly, looking down at his hands. "Then I remember a sweet angel telling me it was okay, and she held my hands with her soft ones, and I felt better,"
Videl blushed and fiddled with her thumbs. "Really?"
"Guess it was my guardian," He whispered, and then smiled happily. "I'm glad you came to visit me,"
"Well, I had to make sure my bookworm made it!" She giggled. "Couldn't let you die on me without teaching me my math!"
He rolled his eyes, a bright smile on his face. "Jerk..."
**************
Bulma watched as Videl entered Gohan's room, Gohan waking up, and their talk from a monitor. "Good thing I installed that camera," She said quietly. It took every ounce of self-control she had not to run into that room and leap on Gohan, crying with relief. "I wonder if he would have pulled through without that girl by his side the whole time..."
"Mom!" She turned to face her laptop monitor, and see Mirai's face on it.
"Oh, hey there mister!" She giggled. "Found that medicine?"
"Yeah, need me to come over?"
"I don't think so... Gohan seems to be okay now. He just woke up,"
"Wow! That's amazing!" Mirai said, baffled. "That's also kinda odd..."
"What I was thinking exactly, but hey, no need to worry about details, the big lug is alright!" And with great relief, she plopped down into a lounge chair. "I should go tell your dad now, he might eat,"
"Don't take your eyes off him yet, he still might need more medicine," Mirai warned.
"I won't, I promise," She sat there for a moment, unable to take in fully the burden that's been lifted off her shoulders. "Well, I'd better go now, it was nice talking to you, Mirai,"
"Same here, I'd better go see what my wife is doing, chances are she'll need help with the kids,"
"See ya!" Bulma chirped as the screen went blank. She forced herself up and stretched. "Off to Vegeta land... also known as hell..."
******************
Cesna: Whoo! Yay for Gohan being better!
Gohan: Thank goodness! It was looking like I was a goner there for a little.
*all is silent, but Cesna begins to chuckle*
Gohan: It IS over... right?
Cesna: *continuing to laugh* I can't promise that...!!!
Gohan: Oh no... you are NOT...
Cesna: Nope! Can't tell, even tho the story's about you! *runs off*
Gohan: NO!!! You get back here!! *runs after*
"I CAME AS SOON AS I HEARD!!!"
Goku looked up to see Krillin in the doorway, panting heavily. "Hi, Krillin!" He chirped. "What took ya? He's been sick for almost three days... I thought Bulma rung you guys up..."
18 and Maron came in, 18 looking rather apathetic. "I said, I came as soon as I heard..." Krillin sighed. "18 here JUST remembered about Bulma's call..."
"Sue me, I barley know the kid," 18 sneered. Krillin gawked, while Goku laughed nervously.
"You know enough about him to know I WOULD WANT TO KNOW IF HE'S DYING!" Krillin shot. 18 scowled and looked off. "Sorry about her, Goku, but how is Gohan?" Krillin walked up beside him and sat down.
"Not good. Bulma got a hold of Mirai and he said the chances of him living are 25%..."
Krillin looked to the ground, grabbing his knees tight. "No... I never thought I'd outlive the lug..." He said unhappily. "Darn it! Why couldn't it be one of us?! At least we've lived our lives..."
"Krillin! You let Bulma attack me!" Yamcha screamed and ran in, holding his arm in pain. "She practically stabbed me with that needle!" Seeing that he got no smiles made him concerned. "Whoa, he's that bad, huh?" He came in and sat down by Goku.
"Worse," Krillin muttered. "Basically, what Goku went through was a walk in the park compared to how bad Gohan has it..."
"..."
"I can't believe this is happening to him, it isn't fair," Goku said quietly. "I don't know if our family can survive Gohan's death..."
"Don't talk like that, Goku! He still has a chance to live!" Krillin said adamantly, standing up. "Since when do you give up this easily? WAKE UP!" He said enthusiastically. Goku didn't look as convinced. He was still looking at the ground, a sad look in his eyes. "When Gohan was captured by Radditz, and you knew you practically had no chance of winning, what did you do?"
"I got Piccolo's help," Goku said glumly. Suddenly, realization hit him. "DENDE!!!!! He can heal Gohan!!!" He jumped up happily. "I am so stupid! Thank you, Krillin! You always have the greatest ideas!!!!!" He got Krillin in a big bear hug.
"Not...exactly...what I meant..." Krillin gasped.
"I'll be right back!" Goku giggled and teleported away. Five seconds later, he came back with a very confused looking Dende.
"What the--?" Dende muttered, almost falling over from surprise. "Goku, what is going on?"
"HEAL!" Goku instructed as if he was a dog, pointing at Gohan. It took a moment to realize that he meant Gohan.
"What's wrong with him?" Dende asked as he walked up to him, holding out his arms.
"He's super duper sick!" Goku said. "You have to heal him or else he's going to die!"
Krillin slapped his forehead, while Yamcha could only laugh lightly.
"I... I've never healed the sick before..." Dende said.
"HEAL HIM NOW!!!" Goku yelled. Dende cowered as he began his healing treatment on Gohan. Everyone watched in anticipation as he healed... and healed.... and healed... Eventually, about a minute went by, and there was no effect on Gohan.
"I figured as much... If senzu beans couldn't help you Goku..." Dende said. "I'm sorry, I tried..."
"STINK!!!" Goku screamed in frustration. "I thought for sure it would work..."
"Stink?" Yamcha asked.
"Gochi says it..." He said.
"Can I go back to the lookout yet?" Dende asked.
************
"Isn't your time machine ready?" Bulma asked. Mirai sighed on the face of the laptop.
"Yeah, I'm just looking for the medicine," He grunted. "It's not easy to find, but it's stronger than the stuff your giving Gohan. He'll probably need it, it'll up his chances to fifty percent if you start using it right away,"
"Phone me as soon as you get some," Bulma pleaded. "Mirai..."
"Yes mom?"
"How much longer will Gohan last if this kills him...?"
Mirai paused. "About two more days... His vitals will show signs of slight improvement, then the disease will strike him down..."
"Oh Kami..." Bulma murmured. "He could be dead in two days..."
"That's when the virus will either have to crumble underneath the medicine or overcome it,"
"I still can't believe this is happening," Bulma grunted. "I wish it was me..."
"If it was you, no one would be around to tell everyone what to do!" Mirai laughed. "You take your genius for granted,"
She laughed with him. "Your right, Mirai... Wow, you've grown up so much since we saw you off fourteen years ago..."
A warm smile came over his slightly aged yet still young face. "Yeah, well..."
"I'm going to go talk your father into eating. He hasn't come out of training since he heard of Gohan's diagnosis,"
"Sounds like him. I promise I'll be there as soon as I get the medicine, okay?"
"Yeah... And make sure it's within the next two days..." Bulma laughed nervously. Mirai smiled slightly.
"I'll do everything in my power to be there," He whispered. "See ya, mom,"
The screen went blank. Bulma let her smirk fade. Being unsure of whether or not Gohan would be alive in the next two days scared her. Greatly.
**************
Videl stared at the top of her ceiling. She couldn't stop thinking about her most recent visit with Gohan. Everyone around him seemed depressed and unmotivated, an unusual atmosphere for the place. She had a horrible feeling it had to do with Gohan's condition, and how he was becoming less responsive to her presence. Before, she always could pick up tiny bits of signals that he recognized that yes; it was her talking to him. Today, he didn't even respond to her holding his hand.
Sleep fought it's way to her, and she was unable to dodge it any longer.
**************
Another day inched by, and Mirai still hadn't gotten in touch with Bulma. She KNEW he wouldn't forget, so he must not have found the medicine. Everyone became very optimistic when, late that night, he showed signs of waking up soon.
"The medicine must be working, then! Alright!" Krillin said happily. 18 and Maron had long gone back to the house, but Krillin insisted on staying by Goku and Gohan's side through the whole thing, wanting to be the first to know if something happened. Bulma simply stood back while they cheered for Gohan, knowing that this wasn't nearly the end. 'He's waking up too soon...' She thought to herself wearily. 'Maybe... Maybe we won't need the better medicine...'
"I can't believe I let myself think he wouldn't make it," Goku said, feeling extremely relieved. "As soon as he gets up, I'm taking him out for a junk food binge!"
Bulma smiled faintly. She couldn't bring herself to destroy the hope she saw in Goku for the first time in three days. Maybe if he stayed positive... It would help Gohan.
But nothing could shake off the dread she felt about the next day, the deadline for Gohan's life that Mirai gave them.
***************
Videl got up early to go check on Gohan, and by the time she walked out of her house it was seven. She landed by the Capsule Corp about half and hour later, deciding to take her mini-jet this time. When she walked into Gohan's room, she was in for a great surprise.
"Oh my gosh..." She muttered, seeing him yawning and stirring. "He's... Almost awake..." She saw his parents on the sofa just beyond his bed, and they were fast asleep. In disbelief, she ran up to Gohan. "Gohan, are you awake?!" She exclaimed, and shoved him slightly.
"Not so loud..." He moaned. "I'm tired..."
She felt tears come forward instantly. "Oh, you!" She cried and hugged him tight. Confused, Gohan opened his eyes. "You are such a moron!"
"This isn't my house..." He moaned. "You aren't my mom..."
"Of course I'm not, stupid!" Videl laughed, pulling herself away from him. "You have been out with this stupid heart disease thing for three days, bookworm!"
He started laughing as she sat down in a chair, and she couldn't help but at least smile. "Three days?" He asked, voice a bit weak. "Wow, you serious?"
"Everyone was really worried," She replied quietly. A concerned look crossed Gohan's face and he looked around, and saw his parents sleeping on the couch.
"Wow, you weren't kidding," He whispered, looking back to her. "At least I'm up. Man, I've felt better, though," He started laughing as he rubbed his heart. "Heart disease, huh?" He 'hmm'ed about it thoughtfully, then realized where he must be. "Am I at the Capsule Corp?" Videl nodded. "...And this is the first time you've visited me?" This time, it sounded like he already knew the answer, but was looking for reassurance.
"Well, I..." She started, blushing slightly. "No..." Gohan raised an eyebrow. "When you didn't show up to tutor me, I got curious!" She said defensively.
"Hey, calm down!" He insisted, waving his hands in front of him, declaring his innocence. "I just didn't know why you would be so concerned about me..."
She narrowed her eyes, and looked down. "I was just coming to pummel you for not coming, and when I saw you so sick... I mean, you were screaming and thrashing about..."
It was Gohan's turn to be embarrassed. "I wish you hadn't seen me like that," He muttered. Videl blinked a few times.
"Why?"
"I don't know, I'm sorry for worrying you, though,"
She smiled slyly. "I forgive you this time!"
"You're still a jerk," He said happily. "Though, that's not what I recall from being asleep!"
Her face went blank. "You... remember?" She asked. He began to laugh.
"Not much, I'm afraid!" Came the reply. "I remember a lot of pain..." He said quietly, looking down at his hands. "Then I remember a sweet angel telling me it was okay, and she held my hands with her soft ones, and I felt better,"
Videl blushed and fiddled with her thumbs. "Really?"
"Guess it was my guardian," He whispered, and then smiled happily. "I'm glad you came to visit me,"
"Well, I had to make sure my bookworm made it!" She giggled. "Couldn't let you die on me without teaching me my math!"
He rolled his eyes, a bright smile on his face. "Jerk..."
**************
Bulma watched as Videl entered Gohan's room, Gohan waking up, and their talk from a monitor. "Good thing I installed that camera," She said quietly. It took every ounce of self-control she had not to run into that room and leap on Gohan, crying with relief. "I wonder if he would have pulled through without that girl by his side the whole time..."
"Mom!" She turned to face her laptop monitor, and see Mirai's face on it.
"Oh, hey there mister!" She giggled. "Found that medicine?"
"Yeah, need me to come over?"
"I don't think so... Gohan seems to be okay now. He just woke up,"
"Wow! That's amazing!" Mirai said, baffled. "That's also kinda odd..."
"What I was thinking exactly, but hey, no need to worry about details, the big lug is alright!" And with great relief, she plopped down into a lounge chair. "I should go tell your dad now, he might eat,"
"Don't take your eyes off him yet, he still might need more medicine," Mirai warned.
"I won't, I promise," She sat there for a moment, unable to take in fully the burden that's been lifted off her shoulders. "Well, I'd better go now, it was nice talking to you, Mirai,"
"Same here, I'd better go see what my wife is doing, chances are she'll need help with the kids,"
"See ya!" Bulma chirped as the screen went blank. She forced herself up and stretched. "Off to Vegeta land... also known as hell..."
******************
Cesna: Whoo! Yay for Gohan being better!
Gohan: Thank goodness! It was looking like I was a goner there for a little.
*all is silent, but Cesna begins to chuckle*
Gohan: It IS over... right?
Cesna: *continuing to laugh* I can't promise that...!!!
Gohan: Oh no... you are NOT...
Cesna: Nope! Can't tell, even tho the story's about you! *runs off*
Gohan: NO!!! You get back here!! *runs after*
