Chapter Four: Facts and Feelings
Goku's father paced around the front of his house. Waiting for his son's arrival.
It was nighttime now and he still wasn't here.
Bardock was fully aware of Bulma's attempts to "return home" and knew her half-baked schemes were never meant to succeed so it did not worry him. But now . . .
He had never thought she would go this far. The notion she cared for Kakarotto like a mother would was always in his head, now he knows that in her eyes she saw him as another tool in her plans.
"Where the hell is that boy, he should have been here by now!"
Goku arrived, goofy smile and all. Bardock hated that smile, each time he saw it it made him wonder 'If it wasn't for that bump on the head as a child . . . ' He'll probably be a big success like his older brother-Radditzu.
If it was Radditzu in this situation it would so a great deal easier to tell his mature son than the still child-like Kakarotto.
He met his son with a normal greeting and spoke with him.
Following some meaningless chitchat like "How are you doing?" "How's your wife?" "Blah, blah, blah" he questioned him about the creature.
His eyes lit up like a lantern and his face broke out into a huge smile. He instantly started gushing over it. Regarding how excited he was and about all his plans to spent time with it and the future he was looking forward to.
Goku ranted about this creature for a whole ten minutes!
During that time Bardock's left eye twitched, his head was starting to hurt.
He was itching to burst his scatterbrained bubble of happiness right here, right now, except the only issue was how was he going to do it. The older ki sorcerer had never seen Kakarotto so excited about anything since he was a child. At this state now, he'll most likely deny it and won't listen.
'I've got to wait a few days, if he doesn't see that thing in a while maybe his enthusiasm will die down, it will be easier to tell him.' That appeared to be a good idea.
"You must've had a long journey, how about you rest up and we'll talk more in the morning."
"Huh? But Bulma said you-"
"In the morning. Good night."
~*~*~*~*
Up stairs Goku open the second door to the right. His old room was exactly how he left it--A complete mess.
Goku lied down on his old bed that had seen better days, it creaked beneath his weight threaten to collapse. He barely took mind to it. Instead wondered what Kuririn was doing that this very moment was the first thought that drifted into his mind. It's only been one day and he missed him already.
"It was getting late . . ." gazing outside the window at the night sky " Well passed midnight-he's probably sleeping now."
~*~*~*~
Back at home . . .
"Get out!"
"Oof!" Kuririn landed hard outside on the residence's doorstep.
"I don't want you sleeping under the same roof as I am. You haven't earned that right yet." Chi-Chi snapped at him from the doorway.
"But-but-"
"What!"
"They are things out there. Monsters!" he shakily pointed to the woods.
She twisted up her nose like she smelled something disgusting and said "So?" with that she slam the door in his face
"Chi-chi-sama!" he banged on the door, begging to be let back in.
Moments later, by some kind of a miracle, she open the door.
"Thank y--'' he started to say but his words were cut short when something was toss roughly onto his face. It was a blanket.
"You should be grateful that I gave you that much, 'night"
"Wait!"
The door slam shut again and Chi-Chi did not come back.
Chi-Chi didn't understood why, but it was hard to tolerance him. It was just something about him that just rubbed her the wrong way. Like a rash that just irritated her. She can't stand it.
Maybe because he wasn't human being
That is what she kept reminding herself all daylong.
If it weren't for those wings he would look completely human. He looked so human she forgotten what he really was for a moment or so.
But a reminder was given to her early that day. She saw him accidentally cut his hand on some of her rose bushes' thorns. The small wounds bleed strange silver blood. A certain sign of something unnatural! It creep her out and made her question what exactly did she let into her home?
Whatever he was the witch knew she could control him. Chi-Chi wanted a completely obedient servant-slave more like it. Knowing Goku was too lenient to enforce it so it was all up to her. Seeing him as wild animal who has to be tame and broken down into domestication and servitude.
"Plenty of nights outside and-"
She halt briefly on the stairway, outspreaded her delicate-looking hand out in front of her and let crackle with that electric force again.
"And some more shock treatment in morning will make him exactly that! Sleep well Kuririn for tom-orrow you have a early lesson."
No matter how much he banged on the door Chi-Chi was not going to open it. A distant howl made by some wild beast was carry by the wind. Kuririn whimper and huddle down on the doorstep. Staying close to the house as much as possible.
It was chilly and windy tonight. A strong gust blew at his face causing his eyes to water.
Goku. Kuririn wonder where he was and why he had to leave.
He'll be back soon . . .there was a bitter feeling in his stomach.
Kuririn couldn't understand, he should be happy he's coming back What if he got him mad like he did with Chi-Chi? Will he hurt him too?
No, Goku was so nice to him but . . . how would he know . . .
That petrified him-not knowing. Kuririn could not visualize Goku like that.
Besides why would he care for a thing? Something so lower than him- so inferior nothing he does wouldn't matter. Was this the existence made out for him?
Kuririn tried to make himself comfortable on the hard ground, using the blanket Chi-Chi gave him. It was musky and old the dust from it made him cough. Feeling there was no way he could hearing all the odd living things moving about in the forest. But drowsiness overpowered his fear and he fell into a dreamless sleep.
It seem he had barely close he eyes when cold water hit his face like a hard back-handed slap. Some of the water seep down his throat and went down the wrong pipe making he choked up some.
Morning was here and Chi-Chi was standing over him with an empty bucket under her arm.
"Up! Time to get to work."
~*~*~*~*
Days passed and Goku wanted to go home. He missed Kuririn . . . oh and Chi- Chi too! He had no idea what was taking so long for--
Goku paused and thought for a moment. Come to think of it he didn't know why he was here. Bulma said it was a matter of importance but Bardock didn't mention anything of that sort. And each time he asked his father always charged the subject also each time he tried to leave he always came up with something to make him stay. What was going on?
Each passing day he was starting to care less and less concerning what Bardock has to say, and figures he could just sneak his way out.
In the morning he had all his things.
Down the stairs . . . Out the backdoor . . . Outside now . . .
"Kakarotto, where are you going?" Bardock said behind him.
He jumped. Busted.
Goku turned and firmly said "Home."
"Wait, there's-" he began but Goku interrupted him.
"Why won't you let me leave? What is it?"
He pause, determining it was now or never. This stall needed to end.
"I thought longer you were away from it the easily it would be to tell you this. It about this creature you made. This Kura-"
"Kuririn." Goku corrected him
"Whatever. I don't care what its name is." He retorted darkly "The next time you see it I want you to destroy it, immediately!"
"W-what?" he was taken back
"It's for your own good, Kakarotto. If you are smart, you do it right away."
'He's not joking. Otousan never jokes. He's serious!'
"W-Why? That makes no senses. Kuririn's not evil in anyway." Why tell him to do such a thing?
"No, it's not that. There's nothing bad about him-personality-wise, but he's still a threat to you-to everyone! He's a curse and he'll bring misfortune and misery to you. It's so difficult for me to explain, here." His father pressed a small thick book into his hand. "Read it, and you will understand what you have to do." Bardock walked away "Good-bye, Kakarotto. I've said what I wanted to say-- you can go home now.
Goku just stood there stunned. What he told him was beyond believe. No, he has to be wrong!
Kuririn . . . a curse?
~*~*~*~* He sat out back behind his childhood home, fingering the little black book in his hand. His finger trace over the gold impression of the characters that spelled the word "Tenshi-jin"
'Kuririn, how can something like you hurt anything?' Soft footsteps came near him and someone sat next to him.
"Goku-kun?" a gentle voice said
"Hi, Bulma." He muttered without even looking up at her.
"Oh, why so glum?" she asked concerned in a sweet voice.
He needed to know.
"Bulma," he said his voice no more than a whisper. "Why did you me the feather in the first place."
"Because it's perfect for you." She piped "Let me tell about Kuririn's kind, --"
'Uh-Oh, Bulma loves explaining things - this might take all day maybe I shouldn't have asked'
But he still sought after to know, so he guessed he had to sit through it.
Bulma's tone changed to the tone that of a teacher in front of classroom of students.
"There are several breeds for example: One with red wings, one blue wings, one gold wings and so on. The two rarest of these varieties are the Black and White winged ones. The dark winged ones are extremely aggressive, don't mess with them, but the kind Kuririn is-oh-you are so lucky Goku"
"Why?"
"They are completely devoted to whom ever created them. 100% unconditional love."
"Unconditional love?"
"Yes, like the way a puppy would love its owner. That kind of love."
"Oh."
"In a way he loved even before he set eyes on you." but then the ex- goddess' voice turn soft and solemn." Unfortunately, this (in my opinion) is one of this breed's greatest flaws. Let's say you weren't the kind person you are, that you were cruel, violent, and abusive and you directed this all toward Kuririn. What do you think he would do? Would he run away or fight back? No."
". . .?"
"He would stay by your side until the day you die no matter what you do to him. He's that devoted."
'He will stay with me forever' he thought 'if I tried to take his life, will he just let me?'
Imaging what might happen if he came home that day with the full objective to kill the little tenshi.
^*^ Kuririn would run to him so happy to see him after so many days.
"Kuririn." He would say his name gently with no threat." Come closer, please."
Kuririn will do so, Goku know he would sense there was something wrong but will have no idea what.
Goku will bend lower to him. Staring at his face for a long time, wanting to memorize the way he looks. Aware he with never see it again. It will pain him to do this and it will show on his face.
"Goku, what--?"
"I'm sorry . . . I'm so sorry."
"For what?"
"Shh . . .don't talk please . . . I promise it'll be over soon." Saying to him remorsefully before his hand grab his throat tightly.
Shock will ripple across the little angel face.
"G-Goku!"
"Shh."
He would hold him close and tight to him to keep him from struggling. He'll still fight to breath --fight for his life. But Goku'll be too strong for him. Then he would decide that a choking death was too slow, painful of a death and would snap his neck to end it all . . . ^*^
The Ki sorcerer shook his head furiously from that mental picture. His black locks tossing as he did.
How will he be able to live after doing something so horrible!
Bulma smiles at him, unaware of what thoughts running around in his head.
"But you're not like that. You're the perfect person to take care of him, you'll never hurt him"
Never hurt him . . .
The tall young man couldn't hold it in anymore.
"But what's so wrong about him that Otousan wants him dead!?" he said it in nearly angry yell
"What!? Why would he tell you to do that?" Bulma's voice echoed with shock, convincingly she played dumb.
"You don't know why?"
"If I knew something was wrong with it I would have never given the feather to you." she lied flawlessly "Tell, what did Bardock said to you".
Goku told her every single thing with a heavy heart and Bulma listen patiently and intently.
"Uh-huh. Well, it's your choice, Goku."
"My choice?"
She leaned in closer and asks softly "Did you read the book yet?"
Goku shook his head.
The ex-goddess eyes lit up 'Yes, I still have chance!'
"See? That's your choice: To read or not to read-To know or be oblivious."
The book. Yes, something inside this book will change the way he thinks of Kuririn. So much he would want to destroy him. Did he truly want that? He was in so high spirits and excitement about the way things were now-- he wanted nothing to change.
Goku decided it was now the time for him to leave. His head felt heavy with doubts.
"Goku, remember what we talked about!" She hollered after him as he went away "Do what you think is right." He turned and waved and Bulma watch him disappeared in the distance then sighed heavily.
"Trying to so clever giving him that book, Bardock, yet you didn't have the guts to tell the whole thing him yourself. It doesn't matter." She smiled to herself. "He won't do it. Goku's too much of a sweetheart to do that . . . at least I think he is."
~*~*~*~*
"Goku-san!" Chi-Chi cried happily when Goku finally return home that afternoon.
"Oh, hi Chi-Chi, where's Kuririn?" the first thing Goku said when he got back.
Chi-Chi's happy face turned sour at the mention of that name.
'He's not even happy to see me!' she thought bitterly
She crossed arms across her chest sulkily. "He's out back-- picking the weeds out of the garden."
"Thanks, Chi-Chi," Goku said as he hurry off to see him completely ignoring the irritated gaze he was receiving from his wife.
He found Kuririn where Chi-Chi said he would be- -tending to the garden; his hands clothes were dirty from it. So occupied with his work he did not detect him. The Ki sorcerer kept his distant at first. Just watching him, unsure how to approach him. Despite what his father told him he was still pleased to see him.
"Hey Kuririn!"
As he came closer he saw something was off about him.
Kuririn looked so sad . so miserable.
"Kuririn, what's the matter?" Did he.? No. Not possible, he couldn't have known what Bardock said.
He sighed "Nothing, Goku-sama ." he said without even looking at him
'Goku-sama? When did he start calling me that?'
"Come on, Kuririn! Aren't you glad to see me? I'm glad to see you . . ."
"I-I have to get back to work, Goku-sama" he bowed to him and then turn to get back to his duties. Completely avoiding eye contact with him.
"Kuririn, wait!" he grabbed hold of Kuririn's shoulder and saw him flinch at his touch yet he still did not look up at him.
"Please . . . look at me . . ."
After a seemingly everlasting moment, Kuririn gaze up at him. His eyes looked so sad.
The consideration of what he was told early was wipe clean from his brain at the sight of Kuririn's face.
What could have upset his Kuririn so much? It hurt Goku to see him so gloomy. He was so cheerful when he left ---what happen when he was gone?
"Now tell me-what's wrong?"
"Goku-sama . . . is it true?" Kuririn whimpered a bit
"What's true?"
"That-that . . ." he trail off.
"Kuririn . . ." Goku urged him to go on.
"Is it true . . . that I'm just a thing -that I'm nothing. My only purpose to exist is to serve you. Nothing more . . ." he gaze stared downward looking pitiful.
A moment of silence passed then Goku knelt down to Kuririn's height like he did weeks before. His strong hands held Kuririn's face and gently force him to look at his face. He stared into Kuririn's eyes and said:
"That's not true. You're much as a person as I am."
"Then what else am I? You made me, didn't you? Then tell me . . .What else am I for?"
Goku gave one of his classic grins.
"A friend, of course! You're my friend!"
Yes, that's right. The way his father talked about him made Kuririn sound like an object he can just discard when he wanted to, but he was nothing like that at all.
"A friend? What is that?"
Goku giggled, "Come with me and I'll tell you all you need to know . . ."
It was impossible for it to be true; Kuririn has too much heart, too much soul for anything evil to come from him. The recollection all his hopes he had for Kuririn before what his father said to him came back.
To sum it up he wanted a friend.
~*~*~*~*~* The day ended quietly with a sunset when Kuririn came up to him with a question.
"Goku-sama?"
"Yeah?"
"What are these for?" Kuririn pointed to his wings.
"You don't know?"
He shook his head "What are they?"
"." Goku looked at him with a brief blank stare then laughed. No wonder he did fly away that rainy day, he doesn't know how!
He placed his hand on Kuririn's shoulder "I'll show you tomorrow."
Surprise by how much Kuririn did not know of. He had so much to teach him.
'Yes, tomorrow I'll teach Kuririn how to fly! It 's gonna to be so great.'
~*~*~*
Night fell and what a day it has been for him.
About to bed he went to say "good night" to Kuririn but he was in wasn't in his room.
Odd. He wasn't in the house either.
"I'll be right back, Chi-Chi, I have to look for Kuririn." And his search didn't take long at all.
He stepped outside and his foot notched something soft.
He looked down and discovered Kuririn tying to sleep outside.
"What are you doing out here?" Kuririn did not hear him for he was already fast asleep. Nevertheless Goku scoop him up into his arms and brought him inside, shaking his head at what Kuririn was thinking tying to sleep out there. Goku put Kuririn to bed in his room.
~*~*~*~*~*~*
'Undressing before joining Chi-Chi in bed he found an object in his pocket.
The book!
It was a very beautiful really. The book had wonderful printing in gold leaf, its beauty seem to be inviting him to open it and start reading . . .
Goku completely forgotten he had it. A frown appears on his face. Maybe it was vital he knew. But . . . His gaze when up to the ceiling, Kuririn's room was right above theirs. He had held him and early said they were friends.
"Goku, do you know how weird it was being alone with that. Are you listening?" Chi-chi said tying to strike up a conversation.
"Hmm." No he wasn't but she continued as though he was.
Goku zone her out and open up the book to the first few sheets. Beyond the title page there was an illustration. All the types of Tenshi-jin Bulma descried to him. All perched in a tree in the picture. The black and white winged ones in the highest branches.
The ki sorcerer's gaze became sympathetic at the one who had wings just like Kuririn's.
"What is that, Goku?" Chi-Chi peered curiously around him
He snapped the book shut before she got a good view "It's nothing"
With a thud, he let it dropped in the drawer of the nightstand and he close it up tight.
"Nothing at all. Let's just go to sleep." Goku said wearily and lied down.
Falling asleep that night with peace of mind past his firmly deciding to not know and forget. Kuririn was his new buddy and no way he would kill a friend. Kuririn was here to stay and that's the way he wants it to be.
End of Chapter Four
To be continued.
Stupid rant of the month: How come there are no Kuririn action figures?! Oh sure they got figures of Yamcha in that stupid yellow suit and he barely does shit in the whole series! DAMN YOU BANDAI!! (They make them, right?) IT'S . . . JUST . . .NOT . . . FAIR!! *Sets toy store on fire and runs away *
Thank you for reading and please review if you like.
Goku's father paced around the front of his house. Waiting for his son's arrival.
It was nighttime now and he still wasn't here.
Bardock was fully aware of Bulma's attempts to "return home" and knew her half-baked schemes were never meant to succeed so it did not worry him. But now . . .
He had never thought she would go this far. The notion she cared for Kakarotto like a mother would was always in his head, now he knows that in her eyes she saw him as another tool in her plans.
"Where the hell is that boy, he should have been here by now!"
Goku arrived, goofy smile and all. Bardock hated that smile, each time he saw it it made him wonder 'If it wasn't for that bump on the head as a child . . . ' He'll probably be a big success like his older brother-Radditzu.
If it was Radditzu in this situation it would so a great deal easier to tell his mature son than the still child-like Kakarotto.
He met his son with a normal greeting and spoke with him.
Following some meaningless chitchat like "How are you doing?" "How's your wife?" "Blah, blah, blah" he questioned him about the creature.
His eyes lit up like a lantern and his face broke out into a huge smile. He instantly started gushing over it. Regarding how excited he was and about all his plans to spent time with it and the future he was looking forward to.
Goku ranted about this creature for a whole ten minutes!
During that time Bardock's left eye twitched, his head was starting to hurt.
He was itching to burst his scatterbrained bubble of happiness right here, right now, except the only issue was how was he going to do it. The older ki sorcerer had never seen Kakarotto so excited about anything since he was a child. At this state now, he'll most likely deny it and won't listen.
'I've got to wait a few days, if he doesn't see that thing in a while maybe his enthusiasm will die down, it will be easier to tell him.' That appeared to be a good idea.
"You must've had a long journey, how about you rest up and we'll talk more in the morning."
"Huh? But Bulma said you-"
"In the morning. Good night."
~*~*~*~*
Up stairs Goku open the second door to the right. His old room was exactly how he left it--A complete mess.
Goku lied down on his old bed that had seen better days, it creaked beneath his weight threaten to collapse. He barely took mind to it. Instead wondered what Kuririn was doing that this very moment was the first thought that drifted into his mind. It's only been one day and he missed him already.
"It was getting late . . ." gazing outside the window at the night sky " Well passed midnight-he's probably sleeping now."
~*~*~*~
Back at home . . .
"Get out!"
"Oof!" Kuririn landed hard outside on the residence's doorstep.
"I don't want you sleeping under the same roof as I am. You haven't earned that right yet." Chi-Chi snapped at him from the doorway.
"But-but-"
"What!"
"They are things out there. Monsters!" he shakily pointed to the woods.
She twisted up her nose like she smelled something disgusting and said "So?" with that she slam the door in his face
"Chi-chi-sama!" he banged on the door, begging to be let back in.
Moments later, by some kind of a miracle, she open the door.
"Thank y--'' he started to say but his words were cut short when something was toss roughly onto his face. It was a blanket.
"You should be grateful that I gave you that much, 'night"
"Wait!"
The door slam shut again and Chi-Chi did not come back.
Chi-Chi didn't understood why, but it was hard to tolerance him. It was just something about him that just rubbed her the wrong way. Like a rash that just irritated her. She can't stand it.
Maybe because he wasn't human being
That is what she kept reminding herself all daylong.
If it weren't for those wings he would look completely human. He looked so human she forgotten what he really was for a moment or so.
But a reminder was given to her early that day. She saw him accidentally cut his hand on some of her rose bushes' thorns. The small wounds bleed strange silver blood. A certain sign of something unnatural! It creep her out and made her question what exactly did she let into her home?
Whatever he was the witch knew she could control him. Chi-Chi wanted a completely obedient servant-slave more like it. Knowing Goku was too lenient to enforce it so it was all up to her. Seeing him as wild animal who has to be tame and broken down into domestication and servitude.
"Plenty of nights outside and-"
She halt briefly on the stairway, outspreaded her delicate-looking hand out in front of her and let crackle with that electric force again.
"And some more shock treatment in morning will make him exactly that! Sleep well Kuririn for tom-orrow you have a early lesson."
No matter how much he banged on the door Chi-Chi was not going to open it. A distant howl made by some wild beast was carry by the wind. Kuririn whimper and huddle down on the doorstep. Staying close to the house as much as possible.
It was chilly and windy tonight. A strong gust blew at his face causing his eyes to water.
Goku. Kuririn wonder where he was and why he had to leave.
He'll be back soon . . .there was a bitter feeling in his stomach.
Kuririn couldn't understand, he should be happy he's coming back What if he got him mad like he did with Chi-Chi? Will he hurt him too?
No, Goku was so nice to him but . . . how would he know . . .
That petrified him-not knowing. Kuririn could not visualize Goku like that.
Besides why would he care for a thing? Something so lower than him- so inferior nothing he does wouldn't matter. Was this the existence made out for him?
Kuririn tried to make himself comfortable on the hard ground, using the blanket Chi-Chi gave him. It was musky and old the dust from it made him cough. Feeling there was no way he could hearing all the odd living things moving about in the forest. But drowsiness overpowered his fear and he fell into a dreamless sleep.
It seem he had barely close he eyes when cold water hit his face like a hard back-handed slap. Some of the water seep down his throat and went down the wrong pipe making he choked up some.
Morning was here and Chi-Chi was standing over him with an empty bucket under her arm.
"Up! Time to get to work."
~*~*~*~*
Days passed and Goku wanted to go home. He missed Kuririn . . . oh and Chi- Chi too! He had no idea what was taking so long for--
Goku paused and thought for a moment. Come to think of it he didn't know why he was here. Bulma said it was a matter of importance but Bardock didn't mention anything of that sort. And each time he asked his father always charged the subject also each time he tried to leave he always came up with something to make him stay. What was going on?
Each passing day he was starting to care less and less concerning what Bardock has to say, and figures he could just sneak his way out.
In the morning he had all his things.
Down the stairs . . . Out the backdoor . . . Outside now . . .
"Kakarotto, where are you going?" Bardock said behind him.
He jumped. Busted.
Goku turned and firmly said "Home."
"Wait, there's-" he began but Goku interrupted him.
"Why won't you let me leave? What is it?"
He pause, determining it was now or never. This stall needed to end.
"I thought longer you were away from it the easily it would be to tell you this. It about this creature you made. This Kura-"
"Kuririn." Goku corrected him
"Whatever. I don't care what its name is." He retorted darkly "The next time you see it I want you to destroy it, immediately!"
"W-what?" he was taken back
"It's for your own good, Kakarotto. If you are smart, you do it right away."
'He's not joking. Otousan never jokes. He's serious!'
"W-Why? That makes no senses. Kuririn's not evil in anyway." Why tell him to do such a thing?
"No, it's not that. There's nothing bad about him-personality-wise, but he's still a threat to you-to everyone! He's a curse and he'll bring misfortune and misery to you. It's so difficult for me to explain, here." His father pressed a small thick book into his hand. "Read it, and you will understand what you have to do." Bardock walked away "Good-bye, Kakarotto. I've said what I wanted to say-- you can go home now.
Goku just stood there stunned. What he told him was beyond believe. No, he has to be wrong!
Kuririn . . . a curse?
~*~*~*~* He sat out back behind his childhood home, fingering the little black book in his hand. His finger trace over the gold impression of the characters that spelled the word "Tenshi-jin"
'Kuririn, how can something like you hurt anything?' Soft footsteps came near him and someone sat next to him.
"Goku-kun?" a gentle voice said
"Hi, Bulma." He muttered without even looking up at her.
"Oh, why so glum?" she asked concerned in a sweet voice.
He needed to know.
"Bulma," he said his voice no more than a whisper. "Why did you me the feather in the first place."
"Because it's perfect for you." She piped "Let me tell about Kuririn's kind, --"
'Uh-Oh, Bulma loves explaining things - this might take all day maybe I shouldn't have asked'
But he still sought after to know, so he guessed he had to sit through it.
Bulma's tone changed to the tone that of a teacher in front of classroom of students.
"There are several breeds for example: One with red wings, one blue wings, one gold wings and so on. The two rarest of these varieties are the Black and White winged ones. The dark winged ones are extremely aggressive, don't mess with them, but the kind Kuririn is-oh-you are so lucky Goku"
"Why?"
"They are completely devoted to whom ever created them. 100% unconditional love."
"Unconditional love?"
"Yes, like the way a puppy would love its owner. That kind of love."
"Oh."
"In a way he loved even before he set eyes on you." but then the ex- goddess' voice turn soft and solemn." Unfortunately, this (in my opinion) is one of this breed's greatest flaws. Let's say you weren't the kind person you are, that you were cruel, violent, and abusive and you directed this all toward Kuririn. What do you think he would do? Would he run away or fight back? No."
". . .?"
"He would stay by your side until the day you die no matter what you do to him. He's that devoted."
'He will stay with me forever' he thought 'if I tried to take his life, will he just let me?'
Imaging what might happen if he came home that day with the full objective to kill the little tenshi.
^*^ Kuririn would run to him so happy to see him after so many days.
"Kuririn." He would say his name gently with no threat." Come closer, please."
Kuririn will do so, Goku know he would sense there was something wrong but will have no idea what.
Goku will bend lower to him. Staring at his face for a long time, wanting to memorize the way he looks. Aware he with never see it again. It will pain him to do this and it will show on his face.
"Goku, what--?"
"I'm sorry . . . I'm so sorry."
"For what?"
"Shh . . .don't talk please . . . I promise it'll be over soon." Saying to him remorsefully before his hand grab his throat tightly.
Shock will ripple across the little angel face.
"G-Goku!"
"Shh."
He would hold him close and tight to him to keep him from struggling. He'll still fight to breath --fight for his life. But Goku'll be too strong for him. Then he would decide that a choking death was too slow, painful of a death and would snap his neck to end it all . . . ^*^
The Ki sorcerer shook his head furiously from that mental picture. His black locks tossing as he did.
How will he be able to live after doing something so horrible!
Bulma smiles at him, unaware of what thoughts running around in his head.
"But you're not like that. You're the perfect person to take care of him, you'll never hurt him"
Never hurt him . . .
The tall young man couldn't hold it in anymore.
"But what's so wrong about him that Otousan wants him dead!?" he said it in nearly angry yell
"What!? Why would he tell you to do that?" Bulma's voice echoed with shock, convincingly she played dumb.
"You don't know why?"
"If I knew something was wrong with it I would have never given the feather to you." she lied flawlessly "Tell, what did Bardock said to you".
Goku told her every single thing with a heavy heart and Bulma listen patiently and intently.
"Uh-huh. Well, it's your choice, Goku."
"My choice?"
She leaned in closer and asks softly "Did you read the book yet?"
Goku shook his head.
The ex-goddess eyes lit up 'Yes, I still have chance!'
"See? That's your choice: To read or not to read-To know or be oblivious."
The book. Yes, something inside this book will change the way he thinks of Kuririn. So much he would want to destroy him. Did he truly want that? He was in so high spirits and excitement about the way things were now-- he wanted nothing to change.
Goku decided it was now the time for him to leave. His head felt heavy with doubts.
"Goku, remember what we talked about!" She hollered after him as he went away "Do what you think is right." He turned and waved and Bulma watch him disappeared in the distance then sighed heavily.
"Trying to so clever giving him that book, Bardock, yet you didn't have the guts to tell the whole thing him yourself. It doesn't matter." She smiled to herself. "He won't do it. Goku's too much of a sweetheart to do that . . . at least I think he is."
~*~*~*~*
"Goku-san!" Chi-Chi cried happily when Goku finally return home that afternoon.
"Oh, hi Chi-Chi, where's Kuririn?" the first thing Goku said when he got back.
Chi-Chi's happy face turned sour at the mention of that name.
'He's not even happy to see me!' she thought bitterly
She crossed arms across her chest sulkily. "He's out back-- picking the weeds out of the garden."
"Thanks, Chi-Chi," Goku said as he hurry off to see him completely ignoring the irritated gaze he was receiving from his wife.
He found Kuririn where Chi-Chi said he would be- -tending to the garden; his hands clothes were dirty from it. So occupied with his work he did not detect him. The Ki sorcerer kept his distant at first. Just watching him, unsure how to approach him. Despite what his father told him he was still pleased to see him.
"Hey Kuririn!"
As he came closer he saw something was off about him.
Kuririn looked so sad . so miserable.
"Kuririn, what's the matter?" Did he.? No. Not possible, he couldn't have known what Bardock said.
He sighed "Nothing, Goku-sama ." he said without even looking at him
'Goku-sama? When did he start calling me that?'
"Come on, Kuririn! Aren't you glad to see me? I'm glad to see you . . ."
"I-I have to get back to work, Goku-sama" he bowed to him and then turn to get back to his duties. Completely avoiding eye contact with him.
"Kuririn, wait!" he grabbed hold of Kuririn's shoulder and saw him flinch at his touch yet he still did not look up at him.
"Please . . . look at me . . ."
After a seemingly everlasting moment, Kuririn gaze up at him. His eyes looked so sad.
The consideration of what he was told early was wipe clean from his brain at the sight of Kuririn's face.
What could have upset his Kuririn so much? It hurt Goku to see him so gloomy. He was so cheerful when he left ---what happen when he was gone?
"Now tell me-what's wrong?"
"Goku-sama . . . is it true?" Kuririn whimpered a bit
"What's true?"
"That-that . . ." he trail off.
"Kuririn . . ." Goku urged him to go on.
"Is it true . . . that I'm just a thing -that I'm nothing. My only purpose to exist is to serve you. Nothing more . . ." he gaze stared downward looking pitiful.
A moment of silence passed then Goku knelt down to Kuririn's height like he did weeks before. His strong hands held Kuririn's face and gently force him to look at his face. He stared into Kuririn's eyes and said:
"That's not true. You're much as a person as I am."
"Then what else am I? You made me, didn't you? Then tell me . . .What else am I for?"
Goku gave one of his classic grins.
"A friend, of course! You're my friend!"
Yes, that's right. The way his father talked about him made Kuririn sound like an object he can just discard when he wanted to, but he was nothing like that at all.
"A friend? What is that?"
Goku giggled, "Come with me and I'll tell you all you need to know . . ."
It was impossible for it to be true; Kuririn has too much heart, too much soul for anything evil to come from him. The recollection all his hopes he had for Kuririn before what his father said to him came back.
To sum it up he wanted a friend.
~*~*~*~*~* The day ended quietly with a sunset when Kuririn came up to him with a question.
"Goku-sama?"
"Yeah?"
"What are these for?" Kuririn pointed to his wings.
"You don't know?"
He shook his head "What are they?"
"." Goku looked at him with a brief blank stare then laughed. No wonder he did fly away that rainy day, he doesn't know how!
He placed his hand on Kuririn's shoulder "I'll show you tomorrow."
Surprise by how much Kuririn did not know of. He had so much to teach him.
'Yes, tomorrow I'll teach Kuririn how to fly! It 's gonna to be so great.'
~*~*~*
Night fell and what a day it has been for him.
About to bed he went to say "good night" to Kuririn but he was in wasn't in his room.
Odd. He wasn't in the house either.
"I'll be right back, Chi-Chi, I have to look for Kuririn." And his search didn't take long at all.
He stepped outside and his foot notched something soft.
He looked down and discovered Kuririn tying to sleep outside.
"What are you doing out here?" Kuririn did not hear him for he was already fast asleep. Nevertheless Goku scoop him up into his arms and brought him inside, shaking his head at what Kuririn was thinking tying to sleep out there. Goku put Kuririn to bed in his room.
~*~*~*~*~*~*
'Undressing before joining Chi-Chi in bed he found an object in his pocket.
The book!
It was a very beautiful really. The book had wonderful printing in gold leaf, its beauty seem to be inviting him to open it and start reading . . .
Goku completely forgotten he had it. A frown appears on his face. Maybe it was vital he knew. But . . . His gaze when up to the ceiling, Kuririn's room was right above theirs. He had held him and early said they were friends.
"Goku, do you know how weird it was being alone with that. Are you listening?" Chi-chi said tying to strike up a conversation.
"Hmm." No he wasn't but she continued as though he was.
Goku zone her out and open up the book to the first few sheets. Beyond the title page there was an illustration. All the types of Tenshi-jin Bulma descried to him. All perched in a tree in the picture. The black and white winged ones in the highest branches.
The ki sorcerer's gaze became sympathetic at the one who had wings just like Kuririn's.
"What is that, Goku?" Chi-Chi peered curiously around him
He snapped the book shut before she got a good view "It's nothing"
With a thud, he let it dropped in the drawer of the nightstand and he close it up tight.
"Nothing at all. Let's just go to sleep." Goku said wearily and lied down.
Falling asleep that night with peace of mind past his firmly deciding to not know and forget. Kuririn was his new buddy and no way he would kill a friend. Kuririn was here to stay and that's the way he wants it to be.
End of Chapter Four
To be continued.
Stupid rant of the month: How come there are no Kuririn action figures?! Oh sure they got figures of Yamcha in that stupid yellow suit and he barely does shit in the whole series! DAMN YOU BANDAI!! (They make them, right?) IT'S . . . JUST . . .NOT . . . FAIR!! *Sets toy store on fire and runs away *
Thank you for reading and please review if you like.