Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ
This one is for ccfleursdelys, for being my first stalker ^_^ This one is for you! Also thank you very much for all the reviews!! They keep me writing!! This one is unbeta-ed. Melina, my beta, and I are both quite busy with school, but to keep everyone happy, I have decided to post the work that's finished now. Later, I'll replace them with the beta-ed versions! Fair enough?
Ruthless
Chapter 4: Hurts
It was too damn early.
Krillin stifled a yawn, as he tried to keep his eyes open. He always liked getting up early. He was a guy of routines, and getting up early was one of them. And if you wanted to do some serious training, one had to get up early. Well, that was his opinion. Unlike some other people, who didn't agree with him on that matter. He cast a sly look on Yamcha, who was there, standing somewhat next to him (on a good distance away, of course). Yes, he was there, in body. His mind wasn't there. Krillin smirked as he saw drool forming. Bulma should see him like this.
No, he really liked to get up early, but 4.00 AM? That was seriously overdoing it. Stupid Saiyans.
He looked at Dr. Briefs, who was chatting amiably with two other scientists, who were looking quite weary as well. But not Dr. Briefs. But according to Bulma, the man lived on coffee.
Krillin yawned again, and stretched. How long did he have to be here anyway? Why should he be present while the Saiyans would try out their new training equipment?
He watched as the Saiyan Prince looked stoically at a Gravity Room, while his father and some of his lackeys walked around it, looking appraisingly at the doom-shaped structure.
"So... This is a Gravity Room." Krillin rolled his eyes at hearing the stupid remark from one of the Saiyan generals... Mappa, or Yappa, or something like that. Krillin didn't understand how somebody like that oaf could have made it a general. Was strength really the only thing that mattered to these people? Were a set of functioning brains not a requirement??
"Yes, a Gravity Room! Our latest invention in the training department. It challenges your body, and enables you to push your limits further! And combined with our training programs and fighting robots, it's a whole new work-out!!"
Kami, Dr. Briefs sounded like a real bad salesman! Krillin thought by himself, as he watched with growing amazement how Dr. Briefs went out of his way to show his latest gadgets. And despite their arrogant pride, the Saiyans had something that closely resembled a short of awe? Yes, they were certainly impressed. What would that cocky Prince say now if he knew that the Gravity Room he was eyeing appraisingly was actually developed and built by Bulma Briefs?
Krillin smirked. He would have loved rubbing that into their faces, but alas, his friend had other plans.
"Hey, Krillin." Came a voice suddenly from his right.
"Oh, hey, Goku! What's up?" Krillin turned to his friend, and was taken back by his appearance.
"By Kami, what happened to you?!"
Goku gave an embarrassed grin. "Got in a fight with ChiChi."
"And she made you sleep on the couch or something? You really look like you didn't sleep a wink!"
"Yeah... actually, I slept on Yamcha's couch..."
"That bad, huh?"
"Well... It was a really big fight, and so I went out. I was so angry... So I decided to give us both some time to cool off, and I asked Yamcha if I could barrow his couch. Remind me to never do that again! He snores! Very loudly! And his couch had those lumps... Next time, I'll crash with you."
"Sure. Any time, but... I think you should as soon as possible go home and try to talk things out. Otherwise, things will start to fester."
"I don't know, Krillin, I... I don't know if it's possible to patch things up this time."
"Don't say that! First, you have to give it a shot."
"But we're on complete opposites..."
"It was again about your training?"
"Yes, but more... I've been offered to train with the Saiyans. They are... they are my, uhm, people, and I want to learn more about them and they are so very strong! Can you imagine the possibilities? Maybe the Prince will allow me to spar with him. Have you felt his power?"
"Yeah, I have. And between you and me," Krillin lowered his voice, "I don't feel exactly comfortable with it."
"Why? He's our ally!"
"Yes, well, so they say. But if you give it a thought, if they decide to turn on us, we wouldn't stand a chance."
"But they signed the treaty, so they're our allies." Krillin knew it was a waste of his time trying to get Goku to see that not everyone was as honest and as kind of heart as he was. Goku thought they were their allies, and that was enough.
"Just forget about it, Goku. And all I can say about ChiChi is; talk with her. Explain her your feelings and reasons. Ask her for hers. Communication is one of the most important things in a relationship. That and trust. Without those, even the greatest of loves is fated to wither away."
"Wow!! Krillin! You sound like some kind of poet or something! That is so cool! Hey, could you write a love letter for me, for ChiChi! I bet that would make her feel a lot better!"
Krillin, blushing quite red, gave his friend a somewhat irritated look. "You totally miss the point. Again. Goku, it has to come from you! Out of your heart!" Krillin let out e deep sigh. "Besides," he muttered, "I wonder if it would do you more harm than good... She would find out soon enough it wasn't you who wrote it, if you can't remember what you've written..."
"Aww, Krillin! I'm sure she loves it! So, you gotta help me, ok?! Maybe when I send ChiChi a love letter, she wants to talk to me again, or even better, let me come home again!"
Krillin shook his head. His friend was hopeless.
"Kakarot!!" Came a loud bellow through the immense space. Both the friends looked up, surprised.
"Eh, yes, Vegeta?" Goku yelled back. "What's up?!"
"Kakarot?" Asked Krillin bewildered.
"Yeah, that seems to be my Saiyan name! Oh, I forgot to tell you, but... I actually have a father, and a brother!! Ain't that something!"
Krillin was genuinely happy for his friend, but wondered how that would influence his relationship with ChiChi, his son and his friends.
"Show some respect for your Prince, third class!" The dumb General, Sappa, shouted angrily.
"Sorry!" Goku shouted back, smiling.
The Prince seemed to say something to the General, and he seemed to back down, albeit grumbling.
"When I call you, I expect you to at least ask what I want, Kakarot!" Though his face didn't show anything, his tone was rather cold and agitated. Goku though, didn't seem to notice it.
"Oh, sorry, Vegeta! I was busy, you see!" Krillin flinched but Goku was totally oblivious to the frowns of disapproval and anger appearing on the faces of the Saiyans. Goku gave Krillin a grin, then he quickly flew over to the Prince and his cronies.
Krillin watched on as the Prince gave Goku a feral grin. "I would like to test this so called Gravity Room. I suppose you're familiar with them?"
"Yeah! We train in them all the time!"
"Good. Care for a spar?" The smirk the Prince wore was positively evil, and Krillin gulped. He would not even consider it, but his cheery friend gave the Prince a delighted smile.
"Really? Sure! Come on, I'll show you how this thing works, then we can really get some training done."
Goodbye, my friend, Krillin thought by himself, as he saw Goku walk into one of the GRs. He would probably come out, bruised and battered, and having had the time of his life. Saiyans... Strange creatures, be them earthborne or not.
Krillin saw some Saiyans eye him with nasty grins on his face.
Oh no! No. No way. He looked around, trying to seem careless, but all the while looking for a sparring partner who wouldn't tear him apart if given half the chance.
He spotted Yamcha, then shook his head. No, he was just as eager for being pummelled into a bloody mesh, or so it seemed. He was chatting with one of the few Saiyan females he had seen. Krillin had to suppress the urge to roll his eyes. Leave it to Yamcha to get in contact with a female Saiyan. The female looked half amused, half irritated at the scarred warrior, while cracking her knuckles.
He saw some more members of the Special Forces, but all seemed to be occupied by the Saiyans. This was not good, as he saw the Saiyans who eyed him a few moments ago making their way to him, all the time wearing predatory smirks.
I have to get out of here! He decided quickly and stepped behind one large GR, making his way to another exit.
Cowardly? I would call it common sense and maybe a strong instinct to survive! Krillin dodged any Saiyan ki's he spotted on his way out. Finally, he stepped out, and took e deep breath. That was a close call. Now, he really liked to train and to spar, but those Saiyans all had a disturbing glint in their eyes... Of course, they wouldn't really dare to kill him, or any of the other members of the Special Forces; that would certainly cause them some problems. No, they were probably smarted than that. But... well, accidents happen...
"So, you got away."
Krillin almost jumped, and instinctively dropped into a fighting chance, before he realised it was Piccolo, who was chuckling at the blush that appeared on the young warrior's face.
"You've got to stop doing that, or better yet, teach me to conceal my entire ki."
"I will. Every advantage is welcome."
"Yeah, I agree. I didn't see you in there. And I couldn't find you last night."
"Oh, I was in there. Last night I was meditating. Trying to come up with some good ideas"
"And, did you?
"Not really." Piccolo looked chagrined at admitting that
"Hey, we don't need them right now. We'll come up with something. But did just you saw those Saiyans in there?... Man, they're scary."
"I saw the way they coaxed the Special Forces into spars."
"I'm kind of worried about that."
"Me too. But this is not the place to discuss it." Piccolo gave a nod to a passing scientist, who gave them a curious glance.
"Let's go to Bulma's then. See if she's awake."
"Probably; she told me she hasn't slept well of late."
"Oh. She worries too much."
"Hmm. I think she's being smart, for worrying."
"Yeah, ok, but we have to look after her; she has a tendency to forget herself... She takes on too much work, and neglects herself. And you know what happened when that Sibyun-virus epidemic hit."
"I haven't forgotten it. We'll make sure that'll never happen again. We can't run that risk."
"So, what are we gonna do? Force some sleeping pills down her throat?"
"If we have to, yes."
"I like to see you try."
"Oh, I won't do it myself... I call in reinforcements."
"Reinforcements?" Krillin gave him a puzzled look.
"Yes. ChiChi. I just tell her Bulma isn't looking so good, give a couple of hints about her working habits, and she'll have Bulma out of her lab in no time."
"That's our plan?"
"Yes."
"I like it!" Both gave each other matching, conspiratorial grins.
****
"Hey, guys!" Bulma greeted them cheerily, as she saw Krillin and Piccolo appear from behind a huge, unfinished capsule house.
"Hi Bulma," Krillin greeted back, while Piccolo gave her a grunt.
"I see you're particularly cheerful this morning, Piccolo," teased Bulma lightly.
"And I would be feeling even more jolly if I wouldn't have found you here, 5.00 am in the morning. Now, this wouldn't be so bad, if you had gone to bed about, say, 10.00 PM. But I recall having you escorted back to your home about 1.00 am in the night. And that was even at my... insistence."
"Better call that a command."
"If you're not listening to reason, then yes, I have to be a little more convincing."
Krillin quickly interrupted their conversation, as he saw Bulma open her mouth to give Piccolo undoubtedly a piece of her mind.
"So, what are you doing here? Piccolo is right, Bulma. It's much too early."
Bulma carefully placed her instruments down. "I couldn't sleep."
Piccolo and Krillin shared a look.
"Look, Bulma, I know you're
worried. We all are, but... sometimes, you have to clear your mind of it. We
know what happens if you overwork yourself. And we can't use that right now. We
need everyone in top conditions!"
"Hey, I'm not going to get sick or overworked, ok? It's just... Ok, maybe I
can't push it out of my mind, but all the dangers and possibilities and worried
are running through my head, and I'm afraid that once I fall asleep, something
will happen, or I forget an idea..."
"You're not a god, just human. You're doing everything you can, but Bulma, you got to sleep. And eat. If you don't... You'll have a... nanny," Piccolo pulled a face. "Did I just say that?"
Bulma gave him a radiant smile. "That's sweet, Piccolo. All right. I promise I'll try to get eight hours of sleep and three meals a day."
"And relaxation," added Krillin as an afterthought. "To divert yourself. It helps!"
"Ok. We'll go swimming, or bowling... Piccolo, you seemed to really enjoy yourself, last time." Bulma teased the giant Namek.
He grumbled something, and looked away, seemingly looking irritated, but both Bulma and Krillin saw his grin he desperately tried to hide.
Krillin whispered in Bulma's ear. "It were the shoes he really liked; the colours, you know."
"I heard that."
Krillin and Bulma laughed at Piccolo's expression, who gave them a threatening look.
"So, how did the Saiyans react to the Gravity Rooms?"
"A bit sceptic, I suppose, though they were really eager for some training. Our training facilities are enormous, and that obviously pleased them. They like their space."
"And they were really eager to show off their strength and prowess to the Special Forces. Intimidation tactics... And they worked, didn't they, Krillin?" Piccolo said slyly.
"Ouch, Piccolo. Ok, I admit it. Those Saiyans were looking for a fight, Bulma. And I really didn't want to spend the next couple of days in sickbay. What good would I be then to you, hmm?"
"It's ok, Krillin, I understand."
"I'm not a coward, or something." Apparently, Krillin did feel a bit bad for fleeing the training halls.
"You're not, Krillin. Sometimes, it's better to first asses the situation, then running headlong into it. Did you see me in there? No. It would be stupid to let them know our strengths. How then could we ever surprise them? We have to use our head in this situation, because unfortunately, we don't have enough muscles."
"I wonder how long the Saiyans will be satisfied training in the GRs and sparring with the Special Forces... I don't think it will be long for they will be longing for some real actions. Hopefully, the SNE and the military top of the Saiyans soon have some war strategies ready. Then, most of the Saiyans will be out fighting. It will give us some much needed space, and time.
We're going to have to make some pretty important decisions, and soon, guys. For example; maybe we need to find a new, safe planet, in another remote solar system. I don't think it will be long before the SNE will tell the Saiyans the co-ordinates of New Earth. Once we have done that, we start investigating who's with us. I know, mostly everyone here, and probably on New Earth too, will be happy with the Saiyan alliance. But in time, when they'll get to know them better, and things happen, because trust me, they will, some will be looking for other possibilities. Then, we'll have to uhm... embezzle supplies and ships. Then..."
"It's good to see you've got most of it planned out. Though I have certain suggestions." Piccolo was pleased with her, Bulma could tell.
"Yeah, sure! And we'll have to discuss this into the tiniest details. But this means our lives will become pretty complicated and busy. We can't afford for the Saiyans, or the SNE, to note even the smallest hint of 'rebellion'. We have to be extremely careful. It won't be that hard, while it's just the four of us... five, I think. ChiChi will definitely agree with our plans, even because it's due to a personal dislike for the Saiyans."
"What about Goku?" Piccolo asked.
"Oh, he won't ever tell anyone, I know that, but..." Bulma looked thoughtful.
"He's still very excited about the Saiyan alliance. He just found out he has a father and a brother. He won't want to hear of our plans and suspicions." Krillin said, clearly disappointed.
"Maybe not now," Piccolo mused, "but once he sees what those Saiyans are capable of... In means of cruelty and bloodlust... I think he will come around."
"Plus, it will help that his wife and son are on our side." Krillin added
"I wonder how the Saiyans will react to Gohan..." Bulma said, a worried note in her voice. "I've heard that they frown upon breeding half-breeds... Most of them our put down, killed, right after birth, or even in the womb, together with the mother."
"But... why?" Krillin looked aghast.
"Their ki's. Most of them are considered far to weak by Saiyan standard. It's a disgrace to the Saiyan father. That's also the reason why, until Planet Vegeta was blown up, the Saiyan infants were put through a series of tests. If the infant was too weak, it would either be killed or sent off to a faraway planet. Everything to spare the father of a disgrace."
"Barbaric."
"It's their way to keep their race strong and pure. That's why they have classes in their society. You have the Royal House, the Elites, First Class, Second Class, Third Class. All rated, by strength and bloodline. It was seldom a warrior reached a higher class." Piccolo told Krillin, who listened with growing amazement.
Bulma nodded. "Things have changed a bit, after the destruction of Planet Vegeta. They lost many of their females and infants. Nowadays, every Saiyan infant is allowed to live. But I don't know about half-breeds... They have lot of slaves of other races, you know, since there always had been a shortage of Saiyan females. We better keep an eye on Gohan, and on ChiChi too, because we'll ne-"
"Why do you need to keep an eye on me?" Bulma almost jumped up, so startled she was to hear Gohan's voice behind her.
"Ooof, Gohan," Bulma breathed deeply in and out. "Never do that again!"
"Well done, Gohan," Piccolo said, giving the boy one of his rare smiles. "I see you have that technique perfectly under control."
"What?! You mean Gohan can completely suppress his ki, but I can't?! That does it! Gohan, Piccolo, with me! We're going to seriously train on this technique!"
"It's more meditating than actual training, Krillin! I can even practice it in my room!" Gohan said, beaming due to the compliment of his mentor.
"Excuse me, guys, before you go running off and do whatever you want to do to hurt yourselves... Gohan, what are you doing here so early?"
"Well... I went to bed real early, and now I can't sleep anymore. I asked Mom if she mined if I went to see if you were awake, Bulma. And if you were, I was supposed to tell that to Mom, but..." he muttered, looking at the ground. "I won't tell, if it won't happen again."
Bulma raised her eyebrows, but had to smile. "You too, huh? Well, then, off you go. Train with the guys, before you go to your father ok... And about keeping an eye on you... How can I explain it to you... See here; you know father is a Saiyan and your mother a human, which makes you half of each. A real crude term is half-breed, but I think you will hear it more often than not, thanks to the Saiyans. You are very special because of this, Gohan, and you can be very proud, because you have the best of each race in you. But maybe the Saiyans won't see it like that. They think it is not right to have children with two different races, one parent Saiyan, the other parent another race. I know it sounds really cruel but children like that used to be killed by the Saiyans, because they weren't strong enough for them. So, we want you to look out. If the Saiyans find out that your father's Goku, they will know that you are only half Saiyan, because he was the only Saiyan sent to Earth. Maybe, when they find out, they want to hurt you, even kill you. Maybe you should try to evade them, as much as possible."
"But my training with my father..."
"Of course you have to continue training with your father. They won't try anything if you're with him, or anybody else. Your father loves you and will protect you, Gohan. So will we. But all I can say is, be careful. And don't tell your Mom about this."
"I won't, I'm not stupid! Then she won't let me get anywhere near Dad. They had a real bad fight yesterday, and she's still very pissed off. She didn't sleep much last night. Every time I wake up I heard her crying." He didn't say it, but Bulma knew he had been crying too. He maybe suffered even more under his parents' fighting then they themselves did. Bulma suspected Gohan saw himself as the cause of much of the fighting, and that really hurt him. Had he heard what his mother said to her, last night? Oh, Bulma hoped not. It had been stupid of her too, engaging ChiChi in that kind of situation in the corridor, where everyone could hear them. What if Gohan had been listening? What if he heard them? She should have waited till she and ChiChi were really alone.
Still, she could not believe what ChiChi had admitted to her. How could his own mother look at him, like he was... something dangerous, something to fear and... loathe. Did she really felt like this? Or was it just said in anger? Bulma didn't know, for she had those feelings about ChiChi longer than just the last couple of weeks.
When Bulma looked at Gohan, she saw a sweet, smart and honest kid. Always eager to please, polite, mischievous at times... Like she pictured a child of herself, somewhere far, very far, in the future. How could ChiChi think different?
Bulma knew Piccolo had picked up on ChiChi's feelings too, maybe even before Bulma did. And he had tried to help him, anywhere he could, just like Bulma tried.
Her worries about Gohan and his parents did actually weigh heavy on her. Maybe even more so than the problems with the Saiyans... She just couldn't stop worrying over Gohan, every day he seemed to be a little more down, a little more silent. Every day, he was less and less a child...
And she saw no way to repair ChiChi's and Goku's damaged marriage. Because that was the source of all the troubles and problems.
"Come on, kid, let's go. Let's see if we can get Krillin to understand the whole ki-suppressing technique before you'll go training with your father." Piccolo lay a hand on the shoulder of the boy who gave his mentor a small smile.
"Yeah, let's do it! Come on, Krillin, let's see if we can find a clear space in this lab! We don't have to go all the way to the training halls to meditate!"
"Much to Krillin's relief, I'm sure," Piccolo said to Bulma who promptly burst into giggles. He looked at her and she saw in his eyes the same worries she carried.
She smiled at him, though it quickly turned into a sad smile. "We can't do nothing more, it seems."
"At least we try. I'll go with Gohan when he goes training with his father. I want to see how the Saiyans react to him... and interfere, if I have to."
"Good. That makes me feel a lot better, Piccolo."
He said nothing more, but followed the other two at a leisurely pace, appearing like he had not a problem on his mind. Bulma knew him too well though, and wasn't deceived.
****
"So... you're ready?" Goku asked his son, who was crouching low in a defensive stance.
"You bet!" Gohan called back.
Gohan was shocked when he had seen his father; his face had a black eye, a split lip and some other bruises. His arms were bruised too, and he could see several cuts too. Gohan couldn't see the rest of his body, but he was sure there were some bruises as well. Maybe a couple of bruised ribs too, as his father seemed to favour his right side.
He sure had been in some intense sparring, this early in the morning. Gohan always trained with his dad from eight to twelve, but his father always started around 6.00 am. Today, even 4.00, or so he had heard from Krillin. He had probably been sparring with a Saiyan, or several!
"Dad, are you ok?" he asked from the other side of the large GR, which stood at a level of 50 times Earth Gravity, 50 EG for short. A level which he could now easily move in. Gohan liked the GR the best of all Bulma's inventions.
"Yeah, I'm ok! I have sparred with Vegeta, you know, the Prince. Man, he is really something! It gives me something to train for, just to try and reach that level! He's a Super Saiyan, and you should have seen him, Gohan! Suddenly, he's blond and has blue eyes... or is that green... Well, it's really cool!"
"Super... Saiyan...?"
"Yeah, that's what they call it. Now, come on! Let me see what you've got! Don't think I'll be easy, just because I'm smarting a bit!" Goku lanced an attack at his son, who quickly defended himself, and darted away, while looking for any weaknesses in his father's defence.
Kicks, blows, flips, and ki-attacks. Both were so emerged into their spar that they didn't realise that they were attracting quite some attention.
Outside the GR, at the large window which was built in each GR, stood quite a few Saiyans and some members of the Special Forces.
Vegeta, who had just finished beating three Elites into the ground, stepped out of his GR and walked towards the small crowd.
"What's the deal, Nappa?" He demanded.
"The Earthling Saiyan, Kakarot, is sparring with a... a child. The child has a very high ki-reading, and it seems they are just warming up.
"Oh, that's Gohan, Goku's son. They always train together around this time. After twelve, Gohan goes off to Bulma, to study and learn an actual profession, as his mother says," one of the Special Forces, a scarred man, said.
"His son?" Vegeta asked, eyes narrowed. The Saiyans around him suddenly seemed to scrutinise every detail of Gohan, even more than they did before. The man took a step back, as he felt the tension.
"Yeah. He's married with ChiChi, and they have a son together, him!" The man pointed at the kid. "Go and ask them if you want. I'm not lying to you. Gohan even has a tail!"
"Maybe I'll do just that." Vegeta reached for the control panel, and turned the machine off, giving the occupants no warning, causing them to propel themselves to the roof and make a nasty smash into the steel.
Vegeta opened the door, just as Goku hollered out to them:
"Whoever did that, it's not funny! People could get seriously hurt if you do that!!" His voice was full of anger and indignation.
Vegeta stepped into the room, leaving the door wide open. The other Saiyans crowded behind him, while more came walking towards the GR.
"Vegeta?! Did you do that?" Goku asked, disbelief on his face.
"What if I did, Kakarot?"
"Then I would say it's pretty stupid of you!"
Behind the Prince the other Saiyans bristled with anger at the insolence of the words.
Kakarot was standing besides his son, inspecting his head. Apparently the kid had banged his head so hard, he had cut himself open and blood was streaming down his face.
"'Tis a rather bad cut, Gohan, you better get it looked after. You could go to the sickbay, or to Bulma. She can put a Band-Aid on it, and also immediately check your head, see if nothing came loose," Goku ignored the Prince completely, all attention focused on his son.
Vegeta snarled softly and hissed at the insolent warrior: "Kakarot! Pay attention!"
"Sheezh, Vegeta, can't you see that he's bleeding rather badly. Head wounds are always tricky. Maybe he'll have a concussion."
"Nonsense. If he's your son, he won't!"
"Of course he's my son!"
"Good. So he was telling the truth. How old is the brat?"
"Brat? Oh, you mean Gohan. He's nine years old." Goku patted his son on the head, while he pressed a piece of cloth against the wound.
"I think it needs stitches," Gohan mumbled. "Great, Mom's not going to like it."
"No, she won't. Let Bulma treat it. She always make very neat stitches."
"Shall I come back after she's finished?"
"I think it's better to give your head some rest. Watch out for any nausea or headache. If you get them, tell your Mom or Bulma," Goku was obviously worried about his son, and was quite oblivious to the waiting Saiyans, but his son wasn't. He kept his eyes lowered, but was on his guard. It seemed that Bulma was right; they did come to see him when they found out Goku was his Dad.
"If you're okay, we'll continue tomorrow."
"Really touching." Vegeta's cold, sharp voice cut through their conversation. "But if we can get back to business... This boy is your son? And he has a human mother, am I right?" At Goku's nod he smirked, which gave Gohan a real bad feeling.
"Interesting. I've never seen a half-breed with such a high ki before. I never even thought it was possible. What was his ki-reading at birth?"
"Uh, we didn't take any ki-reading at his birth... Why should we? He was healthy. That's all what matters."
"Fool. Now, this is really interesting... The question is, is the boy's power a fluke, a unique case, or... does his human blood have anything to do with it... His ki-rating is just as high, if not higher than that of a First-class brat his age. Yes, very interesting."
"Do you let him live then, your Highness?" Nappa asked disapprovingly.
"Of course, Nappa!" The Prince sounded very irritated. "This brat is quite... special. Plus, we have an alliance with the humans, remember? I don't think they will approve us killing a child, even if it's only half human. Use your brains for once! Now," the Prince turned his attention back to father and son, "I think it would be best if the brat goes training with the other First Class. It's quite a honour for you, Kakarot, as you are only a Third Class. It will be good for him, because it appears to me you're much too lenient on the brat. Spoiling is the word, I think. And I think it's wise if we'll have some blood tests and some other physical tests... He still has his tale, hasn't he?"
"Yes, he had, but wait a minute, Vegeta! Though it's really nice of you to offer, Gohan can't go training with you people. His mother wouldn't allow it. Plus, he has to study, which is really important as well. ChiChi and I made a deal, so-"
"What are you saying, Kakarot? You're saying no to such an offer because your mate wouldn't agree with it?" Vegeta snickered and the Saiyans guffawed.
"Yes, that's why. And I don't see what's wrong with it. In this way he learns to fight and how to use his mind. He is very smart, and it would be a waste if he didn't learn anything besides fighting. What when we have defeated Frieza? There will be no more fighting and what would his future be then?"
"You really are simple, aren't you? Well, have it your way. Still, I want to have the bloodsamples."
Goku frowned, but before he could say anything, Gohan spoke up:
"I'll get them for you. To who can I send the, Sir?"
"Send them to Bardock. He will be quite surprised when he hears he has a grandson. Now, Kakarot, as your brat is leaving, what do you say about another spar? Or did I tire you out?"
"No way, Vegeta," Goku seemed to have forgotten everything already, even the remarks of the Saiyan General. But Gohan hadn't forgotten them. Bulma had been right, but he found it a very frightening idea that just because you had different genes, you could be killed...
When he stepped out of the GR, he felt the eyes of all the Saiyans present on him, and he felt quite small and vulnerable.
Then, he saw out the corner of his eyes a flash of a white piece of cloth and instinctively he knew; Piccolo.
He quickly flew to the exit in the corner, and out side he indeed found his mentor, waiting for him, with a frown on his face.
"Bulma was right, mister Piccolo."
"Yes, too bad she was..."
"I think they're scary. Those Saiyans... that large, bald one... He really thought about killing me, just because I am different.'
"That has always been the case, Gohan. If you were different, people were afraid of you, jealous of you, angry on you... Somehow, many never can accept anyone who's different. It doesn't matter if you have a different skin colour, a different religion, freckles... It doesn't matter. People, human and Saiyans, have troubles with that."
"Oh... Like my Mom has with me Dad?"
Piccolo froze, for just a moment, and couldn't think of anything to say.
"It's true, isn't it, mister Piccolo? Somehow, my mother doesn't like Dad and me because we're aliens..."
"I think that blow to your head has scrambled your brains."
"Don't lie to me, mister Piccolo! I've heard Mom and Dad fighting and she said so... more than once too..."
Piccolo cursed inwardly, but didn't let anything of his anger show. Gohan didn't need that right now.
"Gohan..." For the first time in his life Piccolo didn't know how to handle a situation. What could he say to the boy? He couldn't lie to him, not anymore... How much had Gohan seen and heard of his parents' fighting? But that didn't matter right now.
When he heard a muffled sob, he sank down, till he was face to face with the boy.
"Whatever you heard, Gohan... Don't believe it. Don't believe from anyone. It doesn't matter what if you're an alien or not, what matters is what kind of person you choose to be. You're a real smart, good kid. Always nice to people, and always ready to do something for someone. That's important, that's what counts!"
"But my Mom doesn't love me! She... She..."
"She does love you. I know that for sure. It's just that she finds it hard to deal with your strength."
"No, no... I don't think she loves my anymore... The stronger I get, the more she... I don't know! Even when I get real good compliments from Bulma, she isn't happy! She-" A deep, heaving sob shook his entire body.
"Oh, Gohan... Come, let's go to Bulma, ok?"
Gohan didn't say anything, but nodded and started to walk for Bulma's lab, while large tears rolled down his cheeks.
When they entered the lab, they didn't have to look far. Maybe she felt something was wrong, but she was almost immediately with them as they came in. Piccolo and Bulma exchanged one look, and Bulma quickly knelt down before Gohan. She didn't say anything, just hugged him tightly to her, stroking his back and murmuring sweet things.
That seemed to break the dam, and Gohan started to cry for real.
For awhile, no sounds were heard but the muffled sobs.
****
After letting everything out, Bulma led Gohan further into her lab and had him on an examination table.
"Hungry, Gohan?"
"Yes." He was still sniffling a bit, rubbing the tears away, a bit embarrassed.
"So, here," she gave him a plate with sandwiches. "Nibble on that while I look at your head, ok?"
"Sure," Gohan tried to smile, but failed when he always broke out in tears again.
"There, there," Bulma said softly. "Don't hold it in. Let everything out. It will really feel better. Don't be embarrassed about it. It's bad to keep it all bottle up."
Gohan didn't say anything, but started to munch on a sandwich, while from time to time a sob racked his body.
"Gohan," Bulma said softly, but strongly, "you have to believe us when we say that nothing's wrong with you. And yes, I still think your mother loves you, but right now she's going through a very though time. I don't try to find excuses your mother and yes, she does sometimes think those things... It isn't right, and it isn't the way a mother is supposed to think or feel. Maybe I'm not allowed to say such things, but I don't care right now. Your mother needs time, Gohan. Once everything gets a bit better for her, she will see what a terrific son she has. Gohan, we love you. We don't care that you're half Saiyan... or that you're half human. You're you, and we wouldn't want to change you for anything in the universe! And don't let yourself believe anything different. All right? If we have to say it a thousand times, a million times, we will. We love you the way you are. Capice?"
Gohan flung his arms around her neck and pressed his face firmly against her shoulder.
"Always try to remember that, Gohan. Always try to remember that your mother does love you, even if you don't believe it yourself. When it gets too though at home, you know where you can find us."
"Thanks, Bulma," she heard his muffled whisper.
"Anytime, kiddo. Now, eat up your sandwiches while I drill mister Piccolo over there, who coincidentally also loves you very much, about this lovely cut in your head."
"That idiot Prince flipped off the GR in which Goku and Gohan were training, when he heard Gohan was Goku's son. It was set at 50 EG, and the sudden lack of gravity made them fly themselves against the roof. Gohan banged his head, hard."
"You were right about everything, Bulma. There was even that one bald Saiyan, you know, that ugly one, who wanted to kill me!" Gohan was still put off by it.
"But the Prince decided against it. Not only because perhaps the humans wouldn't be very happy with it... That wasn't even a real concern to him... No, he was interested in Gohan's power, and if it had been a lucky shot, so to say, or that it had something to do with his human blood."
"And now he want blood samples from me, Bulma. I said you could get them from me."
"I don't like that. Blood samples. What if they find something interesting to them?"
"We'll have to wait and see. I can't just send a fake sample; they aren't stupid. No, I think we just have to sent them some bloodsamples, and hope for the best."
"Or what else can happen?"
"I really have no idea. Maybe they'll go and look for human girlfriends, but I doubt it. They think females are beneath them; what woman in her right mind would want such a guy? I would go crazy and smash his caveman's brains in!"
"You go, Bulma!" Gohan grinned at Bulma's antics.
"Just finish those sandwiches, mister! Now, does your head hurts? No? good. Nauseous? No? Fine. The only things left are this rather large bump on your head and a scar. Girls love scars, you know."
"Talking from experience, Bulma?" Gohan asked sweetly.
"Why, you- Stuff your mouth, kiddo, or I'll do it for you!" A fire-red blush crept over her face. "You know what? Come here with your arm; I'm going to bleed you dry! That'll teach you to make fun of me! Ha!"
****
It's review time!!