Chapter 4
***************1 month later***************
Goten strummed at the guitar he had bought a couple weeks ago. It had a pleasant melody and he felt like trying it out. He sat on a large, smooth rock while Maron and Trunks sat in a tree together and Natari sat in another. "Okay, guys, if I suck, try to go easy with the critizism."
"Oh, God, Goten, I've heard you sing," Trunks replied. "These girls haven't, and that might hurt them a bit."
"Why would it hurt us?" Maron asked. Trunks smirked.
"You'll see." Goten plucked at the strings of the guitar. "He's gonna do that Picture song by Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow, only without the girl. This should be interesting." Goten glared at him, then returned his attention to the guitar. It hadn't been his idea to perform for them, but Trunks heard him tuning up, so he brought the gang to listen. He cleared his throat and started.
Livin' my life in a slow hell
Different girl every night
At the hotel
I ain't seen the sunshine in
Three damn days
Been fuelin' up on cocaine and whiskey
Wish I had a good girl to miss me
Lord I wonder if I'll ever
Change my ways
I put your picture away
Sat down and cried today
I can't look at you
While I'm lying next to her
I put your picture away
Sat down and cried today
I can't look at you
While I'm lying next to her
Then, Natari sat next to him and sang the part of Sheryl Crow.
I called you last night in the hotel
Everyone knows
But they won't tell
But their half-hearted smiles
Tell me somethin' just ain't right
I've been waitin' on you for a long time
Fuelin' up on heartaches and cheap wine
I ain't heard from you in three damn nights
I put your picture away
I wonder where you've been
I can't look at you
While I'm lyin' next to him
I put your picture away
I wonder where you've been
I can't look at you
While I'm lyin' next to him
I saw you yesterday with an old friend
It was the same ol' same
How have you been
Since you've been gone my worlds been
Dark and gray
You reminded me of brighter days
I hoped you were coming home to stay
I was headed to church
I was off to drink you away
I thought about you for a long time
Can't seem to get you off my mind
I can't understand why we're living life this way
I found your picture today
I swear I'll change my ways
I just called to say I want you
To come back home
I found your picture today
I swear I'll change my ways
I just called to say I want you
To come back home
I just called to say I love you
Come back home
All four clapped. "I understand what you ment, Trunks," Maron said. "He has an amazing voice. And he isn't alone."
"Yeah right," Goten replied. "I sound like a dying donkey. It's Natari that was good."
After the argument finished (Goten losing once more) they all went for a swim in the lake. Goten and Trunks eyed eachother slyly once they were in and the girls were sitting on the edge. They dived under and pulled the two by the ankles. Once all four came back up, Trunks and Goten burst out laughing at their expressions. The girls splashed them and burst out laughing, seeing an unsuspecting fish in Goten's mouth. He spit it out and dived backwards, doing a flip and coming back up.
"I'm gonna do a few laps, okay?" he said. He did as he said, only going rather slow. He wanted to enjoy the water. Trunks, Maron, and Natari were talking and swimming around, sometimes looking to watch him. Natari paused after talking, the smile leaving her face as she stared at Goten. The cocky saiya-jin had really grown on her. Trunks passed his hand in front of her eyes.
"Helloo, Earth to Natari, come in Natari." She blinked and looked at them.
"What?" she asked.
"You know, a train leaves from The Realm of Dreams to Real Life every half hour," Maron told her.
"What!? What did I do?" Maron smirked.
"You are so crushing on him."
"No. I'm not. You like to think I am. But I'm not."
"Natari, you better check yourself if you want to pull denial off."
"Denial? I don't know what you're talking about."
"See! You're doing it! Shit, wolf, denial is not a pleasant stage, so don't go there. I went through it when I thought I didn't like Trunks."
"So that's why you were so creepy!" Trunks said as realization dawned on him. Goten came swimming up to them.
"What I miss?" he asked.
"Er, Goten, can we talk?" Natari asked. Goten looked skeptical as they both distanced themselves from the other two. "We can't do it now, though. So I was thinking we could meet here around midnight, okay?" He nodded, and the two returned to Maron and Trunks. Goten's stomach lurched as he tried to forget what just happened.
***************midnight***************
Goten sat at the edge of the lake, feet in the water, leaning against a tree. He watched the stars, waiting for Natari to arrive. He hummed I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing quietly to himself, then whispered her name. As if on cue, she came up behind him and sat next to him.
"So, what do you want to tell me that you couldn't in front of Trunks and Maron?" he asked, trying hard to contain his curiosity and excitement. She gazed out at the lake, sighing.
"Over this long period of time, I've had time to think about my life," Natari started. "We've gone through good times and bad times, ever since that first day we met. As the days passed on, I couldn't help but feel different..." She took up a small rock and threw it into the lake. "It's gotten me confused."
"Anything I can do to help?" Goten asked, a bit perplexed at where she was getting at. He had a faint idea, but he thought it too farfetched. Natari turned her head and looked at him, smiling slightly.
"I think so."
"It's time to get what's yours, you little bastard!" Goten turned his head, a look of pure hate on his face, as Gohan came flying up, Yamcha and Krillin behind him. Goten smirked as he got to his feet.
"About time! I was begining to think you gave up!" he called. The three landed. "Ah, I see you have convinced Krillin that I'm evil.
"I also need revenge for you taking my wife away!" the bald human added. Goten shrugged.
"Dude, it ain't my fault. You're just a loser." The four got in battle stance.
"You two watch," Gohan growled. The two looked puzzled. "This is between me and Goten." He went to super saiya-jin 2. In a flash of gold light, Goten did aswell.
"You're lucky I sacrificed my third and fourth form for 18, or you'd be dead," Goten snarled. He looked over his shoulder at Natari, his eyes shimmering with determination. "Get out of here. We'll continue this later."
"But I can't leave you alone!" Natari replied.
"Just do it!" he exploded. "Don't worry, you can't leave me. Just go." She swallowed and flew off. However, when she was sure Goten's attention was on his brother, she turned around and watched from a tree.
With that, the battle ensued. Goten launched himself at Gohan, getting ready to give a powerful uppercut. Gohan braced himself for that, but just before he delivered the blow, he feinted and kicked Gohan in the ribs. He fell back, but returned with a punch to the jaw. The two started fighting with all speed, blocking and attacking, blows never landing. After, the two jumped back then kicked off of trees to meet eachother once more, powering ki into their fists and extending them. A blast of light filled the area from the force and the watchers were forced to shield their eyes. When all had returned, the two were going at it once more.
Gohan felt that he was fighting a battle neither could win. His brother was extremely powerful, and if it wern't for the Z Sword, Goten would be winning easily. So, he cranked things up, tapping into hidden power. "Take this, nigger!" he shouted, smashing his elbow into Goten's face. The younger went flying into a boulder, crushing it into dust. He whiped blood from the corner of his mouth, ignoring the gash in the back of his head and the throbbing in his back. "I'm not a nigger, bastard. You can't even insult me right." He pulled back his hand, palm facing Gohan, formed a green ki blast and thrust it at his brother. Gohan crossed his arms in front of his chest and tried to fight the blast, but found that he couldn't, and he plowed into the ground.
Goten walked over, towering over his brother's body. In one quick move, Gohan spun around and unleashed a white energy blast. Goten bent backwards, the blast shooting over him, the stern expression on his face never leaving. He straightened up and looked down at Gohan. There was no longer any humor in him. He had had enough. He bent down and grabbed him by the neck, lifting him off the ground. Gohan struggled against his hold, but found that his sibling was too mad to let go. He pulled him close to his face, glaring at him. "I am not evil," he growled, enunciating each word. Gohan bared his teeth, then a flash over came his eyes. That's when a blast exploded where Goten was, and he was forced to release him.
With a smile of victory, Gohan flew forward and kneed Goten in the chest before he could fall. Goten doubled over, unable to move, blood flying out of his opened mouth. He fell over. It was Gohan's turn. He looked down at him, glaring, and pulled back his hands. "Kamehame..." Goten felt his brother putting a lot of energy into the blast. He couldn't move, all he could do was brace himself. "HAAAAAAA!" He squinted at the bright blue light before it engulfed him, and he let out a scream of terrible agony that could be heard in cities all over the area.
"GOTEN!" Natari screamed, leaping from the tree. As the light died away with Goten's cry, the saiya-jin could be seen on the ground, blood covering him, no longer in super saiya-jin form. His hair was wet with blood and his body was more dark red than tan. Trunks appeared after hearing Goten's scream, and stared in shock as Natari held the limp body to her own. He groaned hoarsly.
"I'm okay." He couldn't move at all, and his pants were almost non-exsistance. Trunks removed his jacket and wrapped Goten in it, but surprisingly, he pushed him away, struggling to his feet. He wobbled as he tried to keep balance. Gohan stared at him, standing straight.
"It had to be done," he said. "Look at yourself. You will go to Hell for what you've done." He spat blood out. He wasn't in good condition, but he was much better off than his younger sibling. "Attacking your own flesh and blood protecting a filthy bitch you hardly even know." Goten growled and brought his hands to his side.
"Kaaa.....meee.....haaa.....meee....." The blue blast formed in Goten's hand.
"You just don't get it," Gohan replied. "Kamehame....."
"HAAAAAAAA!"
"HAAAA!" It was unbelievable. The two giant attacks pushed against the other, like two enormous domes. Every once and a while, one would gain the upper hand, but then would return to normal. It was taking everything the brothers had to keep going. Goten closed his eyes tightly, struggling to endure his pain at the same time. He thought of what would happen if he lost. Gohan would surely try to kill Natari. This gave him the strength to keep going. "I told you not to call her A BIIITCH!" His blast won, and Gohan was hidden with the attack. Once the light was gone, Gohan was in the same shape as Goten, and they both collapsed.
Trunks and Natari rushed over, holding Goten's body, while Krillin and Yamcha did the same with Gohan. Goten smiled weakly. "What were you going to tell me, Natari?" he whispered. She fought back tears. Her kind were trained not to cry. The words wouldn't come. Goten noticed this, and looked into her eyes. "If it means anything, I have something to tell you, too." Trunks put a hand on Natari's shoulder.
"It's okay, he'll live," he told her. "We just have to get him in the rejuvination tank, but...," he sighed, "he'll be in it for a full month. If we don't do everything right with just a single flaw in setting the tank's level, he won't make it." Trunks lifted Goten up and the two walked into the ship. Right before he drifted off, Goten looked at Natari.
"I love you."
***************1 month later***************
Goten strummed at the guitar he had bought a couple weeks ago. It had a pleasant melody and he felt like trying it out. He sat on a large, smooth rock while Maron and Trunks sat in a tree together and Natari sat in another. "Okay, guys, if I suck, try to go easy with the critizism."
"Oh, God, Goten, I've heard you sing," Trunks replied. "These girls haven't, and that might hurt them a bit."
"Why would it hurt us?" Maron asked. Trunks smirked.
"You'll see." Goten plucked at the strings of the guitar. "He's gonna do that Picture song by Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow, only without the girl. This should be interesting." Goten glared at him, then returned his attention to the guitar. It hadn't been his idea to perform for them, but Trunks heard him tuning up, so he brought the gang to listen. He cleared his throat and started.
Livin' my life in a slow hell
Different girl every night
At the hotel
I ain't seen the sunshine in
Three damn days
Been fuelin' up on cocaine and whiskey
Wish I had a good girl to miss me
Lord I wonder if I'll ever
Change my ways
I put your picture away
Sat down and cried today
I can't look at you
While I'm lying next to her
I put your picture away
Sat down and cried today
I can't look at you
While I'm lying next to her
Then, Natari sat next to him and sang the part of Sheryl Crow.
I called you last night in the hotel
Everyone knows
But they won't tell
But their half-hearted smiles
Tell me somethin' just ain't right
I've been waitin' on you for a long time
Fuelin' up on heartaches and cheap wine
I ain't heard from you in three damn nights
I put your picture away
I wonder where you've been
I can't look at you
While I'm lyin' next to him
I put your picture away
I wonder where you've been
I can't look at you
While I'm lyin' next to him
I saw you yesterday with an old friend
It was the same ol' same
How have you been
Since you've been gone my worlds been
Dark and gray
You reminded me of brighter days
I hoped you were coming home to stay
I was headed to church
I was off to drink you away
I thought about you for a long time
Can't seem to get you off my mind
I can't understand why we're living life this way
I found your picture today
I swear I'll change my ways
I just called to say I want you
To come back home
I found your picture today
I swear I'll change my ways
I just called to say I want you
To come back home
I just called to say I love you
Come back home
All four clapped. "I understand what you ment, Trunks," Maron said. "He has an amazing voice. And he isn't alone."
"Yeah right," Goten replied. "I sound like a dying donkey. It's Natari that was good."
After the argument finished (Goten losing once more) they all went for a swim in the lake. Goten and Trunks eyed eachother slyly once they were in and the girls were sitting on the edge. They dived under and pulled the two by the ankles. Once all four came back up, Trunks and Goten burst out laughing at their expressions. The girls splashed them and burst out laughing, seeing an unsuspecting fish in Goten's mouth. He spit it out and dived backwards, doing a flip and coming back up.
"I'm gonna do a few laps, okay?" he said. He did as he said, only going rather slow. He wanted to enjoy the water. Trunks, Maron, and Natari were talking and swimming around, sometimes looking to watch him. Natari paused after talking, the smile leaving her face as she stared at Goten. The cocky saiya-jin had really grown on her. Trunks passed his hand in front of her eyes.
"Helloo, Earth to Natari, come in Natari." She blinked and looked at them.
"What?" she asked.
"You know, a train leaves from The Realm of Dreams to Real Life every half hour," Maron told her.
"What!? What did I do?" Maron smirked.
"You are so crushing on him."
"No. I'm not. You like to think I am. But I'm not."
"Natari, you better check yourself if you want to pull denial off."
"Denial? I don't know what you're talking about."
"See! You're doing it! Shit, wolf, denial is not a pleasant stage, so don't go there. I went through it when I thought I didn't like Trunks."
"So that's why you were so creepy!" Trunks said as realization dawned on him. Goten came swimming up to them.
"What I miss?" he asked.
"Er, Goten, can we talk?" Natari asked. Goten looked skeptical as they both distanced themselves from the other two. "We can't do it now, though. So I was thinking we could meet here around midnight, okay?" He nodded, and the two returned to Maron and Trunks. Goten's stomach lurched as he tried to forget what just happened.
***************midnight***************
Goten sat at the edge of the lake, feet in the water, leaning against a tree. He watched the stars, waiting for Natari to arrive. He hummed I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing quietly to himself, then whispered her name. As if on cue, she came up behind him and sat next to him.
"So, what do you want to tell me that you couldn't in front of Trunks and Maron?" he asked, trying hard to contain his curiosity and excitement. She gazed out at the lake, sighing.
"Over this long period of time, I've had time to think about my life," Natari started. "We've gone through good times and bad times, ever since that first day we met. As the days passed on, I couldn't help but feel different..." She took up a small rock and threw it into the lake. "It's gotten me confused."
"Anything I can do to help?" Goten asked, a bit perplexed at where she was getting at. He had a faint idea, but he thought it too farfetched. Natari turned her head and looked at him, smiling slightly.
"I think so."
"It's time to get what's yours, you little bastard!" Goten turned his head, a look of pure hate on his face, as Gohan came flying up, Yamcha and Krillin behind him. Goten smirked as he got to his feet.
"About time! I was begining to think you gave up!" he called. The three landed. "Ah, I see you have convinced Krillin that I'm evil.
"I also need revenge for you taking my wife away!" the bald human added. Goten shrugged.
"Dude, it ain't my fault. You're just a loser." The four got in battle stance.
"You two watch," Gohan growled. The two looked puzzled. "This is between me and Goten." He went to super saiya-jin 2. In a flash of gold light, Goten did aswell.
"You're lucky I sacrificed my third and fourth form for 18, or you'd be dead," Goten snarled. He looked over his shoulder at Natari, his eyes shimmering with determination. "Get out of here. We'll continue this later."
"But I can't leave you alone!" Natari replied.
"Just do it!" he exploded. "Don't worry, you can't leave me. Just go." She swallowed and flew off. However, when she was sure Goten's attention was on his brother, she turned around and watched from a tree.
With that, the battle ensued. Goten launched himself at Gohan, getting ready to give a powerful uppercut. Gohan braced himself for that, but just before he delivered the blow, he feinted and kicked Gohan in the ribs. He fell back, but returned with a punch to the jaw. The two started fighting with all speed, blocking and attacking, blows never landing. After, the two jumped back then kicked off of trees to meet eachother once more, powering ki into their fists and extending them. A blast of light filled the area from the force and the watchers were forced to shield their eyes. When all had returned, the two were going at it once more.
Gohan felt that he was fighting a battle neither could win. His brother was extremely powerful, and if it wern't for the Z Sword, Goten would be winning easily. So, he cranked things up, tapping into hidden power. "Take this, nigger!" he shouted, smashing his elbow into Goten's face. The younger went flying into a boulder, crushing it into dust. He whiped blood from the corner of his mouth, ignoring the gash in the back of his head and the throbbing in his back. "I'm not a nigger, bastard. You can't even insult me right." He pulled back his hand, palm facing Gohan, formed a green ki blast and thrust it at his brother. Gohan crossed his arms in front of his chest and tried to fight the blast, but found that he couldn't, and he plowed into the ground.
Goten walked over, towering over his brother's body. In one quick move, Gohan spun around and unleashed a white energy blast. Goten bent backwards, the blast shooting over him, the stern expression on his face never leaving. He straightened up and looked down at Gohan. There was no longer any humor in him. He had had enough. He bent down and grabbed him by the neck, lifting him off the ground. Gohan struggled against his hold, but found that his sibling was too mad to let go. He pulled him close to his face, glaring at him. "I am not evil," he growled, enunciating each word. Gohan bared his teeth, then a flash over came his eyes. That's when a blast exploded where Goten was, and he was forced to release him.
With a smile of victory, Gohan flew forward and kneed Goten in the chest before he could fall. Goten doubled over, unable to move, blood flying out of his opened mouth. He fell over. It was Gohan's turn. He looked down at him, glaring, and pulled back his hands. "Kamehame..." Goten felt his brother putting a lot of energy into the blast. He couldn't move, all he could do was brace himself. "HAAAAAAA!" He squinted at the bright blue light before it engulfed him, and he let out a scream of terrible agony that could be heard in cities all over the area.
"GOTEN!" Natari screamed, leaping from the tree. As the light died away with Goten's cry, the saiya-jin could be seen on the ground, blood covering him, no longer in super saiya-jin form. His hair was wet with blood and his body was more dark red than tan. Trunks appeared after hearing Goten's scream, and stared in shock as Natari held the limp body to her own. He groaned hoarsly.
"I'm okay." He couldn't move at all, and his pants were almost non-exsistance. Trunks removed his jacket and wrapped Goten in it, but surprisingly, he pushed him away, struggling to his feet. He wobbled as he tried to keep balance. Gohan stared at him, standing straight.
"It had to be done," he said. "Look at yourself. You will go to Hell for what you've done." He spat blood out. He wasn't in good condition, but he was much better off than his younger sibling. "Attacking your own flesh and blood protecting a filthy bitch you hardly even know." Goten growled and brought his hands to his side.
"Kaaa.....meee.....haaa.....meee....." The blue blast formed in Goten's hand.
"You just don't get it," Gohan replied. "Kamehame....."
"HAAAAAAAA!"
"HAAAA!" It was unbelievable. The two giant attacks pushed against the other, like two enormous domes. Every once and a while, one would gain the upper hand, but then would return to normal. It was taking everything the brothers had to keep going. Goten closed his eyes tightly, struggling to endure his pain at the same time. He thought of what would happen if he lost. Gohan would surely try to kill Natari. This gave him the strength to keep going. "I told you not to call her A BIIITCH!" His blast won, and Gohan was hidden with the attack. Once the light was gone, Gohan was in the same shape as Goten, and they both collapsed.
Trunks and Natari rushed over, holding Goten's body, while Krillin and Yamcha did the same with Gohan. Goten smiled weakly. "What were you going to tell me, Natari?" he whispered. She fought back tears. Her kind were trained not to cry. The words wouldn't come. Goten noticed this, and looked into her eyes. "If it means anything, I have something to tell you, too." Trunks put a hand on Natari's shoulder.
"It's okay, he'll live," he told her. "We just have to get him in the rejuvination tank, but...," he sighed, "he'll be in it for a full month. If we don't do everything right with just a single flaw in setting the tank's level, he won't make it." Trunks lifted Goten up and the two walked into the ship. Right before he drifted off, Goten looked at Natari.
"I love you."