Chapter 8: A Warrior's Fall

It has been a year since Frieza was killed and a few months since Kooler was defeated, and here I am training with Goku. My only problem is that he's too strong. A Super Sayjin sparring against me, barely over Piccolo's level. It's so fair, isn't it? Plus there's the fact that he's got more experience. I'm 18 and he's 27.

But its great, I love sparring with Goku. I'd like to spar with Vegeta, but you know him, he's off trying to become a Super Sayjin somewhere.

And now everyone knows about me. They know I'm Katrin, Goku's cousin, and they agree that the system screwed up, too.

But my training isn't all with Goku. Piccolo was helping me strengthen my mind as well. A strong body is nothing without a strong mind, Piccolo always says.

But right now I'm fighting with Goku, becoming stronger and faster. Goku says I'm stronger than he was when he transformed. I hope so, because that means I'll transform anytime. Unless its different because I'm a girl. But anyway, this time Goku didn't transform as we practiced.

It was early afternoon as we fought, just after lunch.

"Kamehameha!" Goku cried, but I met with my own. The two blasts connected and we were both surprised and blown back.

"Alright, that's enough for today. We better go back before Chi-chi gets mad." Goku said.

"Yeah, I think I'd rather fight Kooler all over again than face Chi-chi when she's mad."

"Especially with that frying pan of hers." Goku said, rubbing his head as though remembering a concussion.

"Katie, you should think of creating your own attacks. Copying me and Vegeta is no way to fight."

"Yeah, I've been working on that. I just can't get it to stick, you know?"

"Yeah, that's probably the hardest thing about Ki control." He went to scratch the back of his head like he always does in this type of situation, but flinched. He began to rub his left arm.

"Goku, what's wrong with your arm?"

"I think it's a cramp. It'll pass I'm sure."

"Okay, whatever. I'll race you, Goku! Ready set go!" I ran and took to the air, hearing Goku yell and start after me.

"That wasn't fair! I wasn't ready!"

"Well, who said we were racing fair?" I laughed as I sped off, so Goku had to speed up too.

I went, faster and faster, trying to lose Goku. But then I felt his Ki drop. I knew this wasn't good, not at all. But what was it? Was it something I had forgotten?

I stopped and looked around, but I couldn't see Goku. I got scared, scared for him and for me.

"Goku? Goku, where are you?" I didn't get a response. I reached out with my Ki to find him, but that didn't work, either.

"Goku, where are you?"

"…I fell. It hurts…"

"Goku? Goku!"

He sounded like he was in pain, so I dropped to the ground and looked. Goku wasn't a wimp, so whatever was hurting him had to be serious. Finally his Ki spiked and I followed that. I found him on the ground face-up and clutching his chest.

"Goku, what's wrong?" I asked as I ran to him. His face was twisted in pain and he was sweating.

"My chest, it hurts. It all hurts." That was all I could get out of him.

"I'll get you home. Nimbus!" I called for the Nimbus, hoping it would come. I may not be able to ride it, but Goku can. After a moment I got worried. I couldn't carry Goku home with the amount of pain he was in. "NIMBUS!"

I saw it, and I thanked God and Kami and the Kais with all of my being. It hovered next to me, waiting for Goku by the looks of it.

"Goku, I have to move you. I'll be as gentle as I can. I'm going to put you on the Nimbus and take you home."

He didn't answer. I carefully lifted him up and placed him on the magical cloud.

"Nimbus, follow next to me."

It did, and I kept a hand on Goku's chest as we flew. His heartbeat was irregular. A Sayjin normally has a three-beat heart beat. Ba-ba-bum instead of ba-bum like a human. But Goku's was off, and that was in no way good at all.

I went as fast as I dared, fearing what may happen if we hit turbulence or something. Even flying by Ki you can hit turbulence.

Finally we reached the yard of the Son home. I was exhausted for many reasons, but worry was the biggest.

"Chi-chi, we need some help out here! Now!" I called as soon as we landed.

"What is it- Oh my gosh, Goku! What happened?" she ran over and turned to me, looking for answers.

"We were on our way home and he just fell out of the sky. I-I think it's his heart." I had tears now. Something was coming back to me, but I couldn't quite remember what it was.

"Katie, go call the doctor, I'll get Goku inside."

"Mom, what is it? Dad!" Gohan stepped outside.

"Gohan, help your mother." I said as I passed him.

"Okay." He said seriously. I ran to the phone and call the doctor.

"We need a doctor out here now… my cousin, we were training in the woods, and on the way home he just collapsed. I think its his heart… he's about 27… good shape, we're professional fighters, so we work out a lot… we drank plenty of water… I'm fine, just hurry, okay?"

I gave them the address and hung up. Then I called Bulma and told her. She went on down the grapevine as I went to see Goku. The others were going to show up as soon as they could.

When the doctor showed up he examined Goku thoroughly. It was a new strand of heart virus, 100 lethal and there was no cure.

In one year Goku, you will die from a heart virus…

It was something I forgot, but the rest of the details were sketchy. That person I was waiting for said that, but who was he?

So I sat there with Goku, Chi-chi, and Gohan as the doctor left. The others were there, and I mentally contacted Vegeta so he'd come. Goku was dying, and I knew even Vegeta would want to give his last respects. The two of them were rivals, and Vegeta had respect for Goku, thought he didn't show it in any form, but I could tell. They were all outside as the sun began to set.

"Katie?"

"I'm sorry, Gohan. Even if I did know this was going to happen, I doubt I could have done anything. I'll go tell the others so you and your mom can be alone with him."

I walked out of the house with a stern face. I had to be strong, if not for myself than for the others. When I stepped outside everyone turned to face me. I was on the spot again.

"Katie, what's wrong with Goku?" Krillen asked. I inhaled deeply to ready myself.

"Its called cardioculus maximus. It's a new strand of a virus that attacks the heart. So far there's been no cure, or survival rate." My voice was cracking anyway. Nothing could steady me now. My armor was breaking.

"Katie, please don't say it. Say it isn't so, please!" Bulma cried.

"I'm sorry guys. Goku is going to die. The doctor says he won't make it through the night. Now's the time to say goodbye." I headed back inside as the others went through their emotions. I sat next to Goku in a chair next to the couch he was sleeping on.

The others came in and out for a while, and I just couldn't look at Goku. He's Goku, he just can't die from a virus!

Vegeta is right. Emotion is for the weak. Allies only hurt you when they're gone. But I can't help it, I care. Is there such a thing as caring too much?

It was just me and Goku now. Everyone else had been in, even Vegeta. I had been so emotionally detached for the past few hours that I didn't really notice any of them, and I think they sensed that in me. I was scared, and sad, and I even felt a little guilty. I got started on my goodbye before it was too late.

"Goku, I don't know if you can hear me, but I have something to tell you. I… I never hated you, Goku. I love you. I love you like a father, or a big brother." My eyes began to tear up, "I love you like a best friend. I'm glad I got to know you, I'm glad I got to fight next to you. I'm proud to call you my cousin. And I'll keep my armor of love. Remember? You told me that."

Goku moved, and he opened his eyes.

"Katie?"

"Goku, shh, don't talk, save your energy, please."

"We both know it doesn't matter… I know I'm going to die really soon. Tell Chi-chi and Gohan I love them very much… tell everyone I'll miss them… and I know that you don't hate me. Keep your armor, it'll guide you."

Then Goku was silent.

"Goku?"

His breathing stopped, and his heart stopped. He was still and quiet and I knew it was wrong. Goku can't just get sick and die. He's Goku.

I started to cry, really hard, too. I cried so hard I nearly got sick. I got up and walked outside. The others out there got really quiet when they saw me walk out.

"Katie?"

"Goku told me to tell you that he loves you very much, Chi-chi. You too, Gohan." I turned away to try to hide tears that I knew were coming.

"What? No, you don't mean-" Krillen started.

"He's gone. Goku's gone. He said he'll miss all of you very much."

The others started to mourn in there own ways, crying, screaming, or just being really quiet.

I can't stand this. I can't be here anymore. I gotta get away.

I ran. I passed everyone and headed for the woods.

"Katie!" I ran as fast as I could into the woods and further. I ran to use up energy, really. I ran for nearly an hour it seemed and then I fell and cried where I landed. A fact about Sayjins is that we can run all day and not tire, just like wolves. Three years ago I couldn't run ten yards, but now that I'm home I can. Especially now, with the way I feel.

He can't be gone, he just can't! He's earth's protector, he should have died in battle. No, he shouldn't die at all. He's pure-hearted, goofy Goku. He's a hero.

I cried until no more tears would come and just lay there facedown in the dirt. Soon it started to get dark, but I still didn't move.

Finally I rolled over onto my back and stared at the darkening sky. I wasn't sad at the moment, I was angry.

"Why? Why did you take him? Why Goku! Do you think its funny? First you send me to another dimension that's a total lie, then when you bring me back it turns out to all be a big mistake! You chose the wrong kid! Then you take away my only remaining family! You are all a bunch of bastards, you damn council! I hate you! Dammit, I hate you all!" I thought my tears were spent, but they started up again. "Why didn't you take me instead? Why did it have to be Goku? Take me! Take me! I promised to take care of him when Kooler attacked, but I couldn't even do that right. Am I being punished?" I screamed that as loud as I could, venting my anger onto a council and a God who probably wasn't even listening. I took a few breaths and calmed down for the moment. "I'm being selfish. I'm not the only one effected by this. God, forgive me and watch over all of us. Without Goku we may get into trouble. Wow, I just admitted that we do need Goku. I use to hate that about the show, but I never hated Goku. I'm glad he knows that."

Right now I was thinking of a song from the other earth, If Tomorrow Never Comes by Garth Brooks. It use to be one of my favorites, and it totally fit right now.

I sat up and wiped my face. I rolled to get up and that's when I saw it. There, only inches from where my head had been moments before, was the 4-star Dragonball. Goku's Dragonball. I must have tripped over it.

I reached over and picked it up. I wasn't even trying to find the Dragonballs, yet here was one. And not just any Dragonball, either. I smiled, thinking Goku was trying to cheer me up. That's something he would always do. He always had hope, and you could feel that when you were with him, especially when you fought with him. But it didn't matter if I did have all 7 Dragonballs because Goku died of natural causes and the Dragonballs won't restore the life of someone who has died naturally.

I stood up and held up the Dragonball eye-level. I knew it would have looked crazy, but I talked to it as though it was really Goku.

"I promise I'll keep my armor, Goku. And I'll help train Gohan. I'll prepare him for his birthright as earth's new protector."

I took the Dragonball home and its staying on the mantel as a reminder of who we lost. It sits on a little pillow with Goku's picture behind it. In the picture Goku is smiling and waving at the camera.

At Goku's funeral I delivered one of many eulogies.

"Goku was an exceptional warrior, and a good person all around. I'm still surprised that a simple virus was able to take him from us after all the villains he fought. I was honored to fight alongside him and to get to know him. He was my cousin, my mentor, my teacher, and my friend. I saved his life as he did mine, though I think he saved me many more times." I gave a sad laugh then, just remembering all of our battles. I looked around at everyone here, honoring Goku's passing. "I helped Goku fight Raditz, Vegeta, The Ginyu Force, Frieza, and Kooler. Three days ago we were training together, and now he's gone. On the other earth I grew up on, people who died stayed dead, but after I came here I got use to the Dragonballs reversing that. Now that Goku can't come back I realize I depended too much on them, even after preaching that we shouldn't rely on them. But now I'm here, it's been three years since I left there, and during these past three years I got to know Goku. I'll miss him, as we all will. But Goku wouldn't want us to be sad. Goku was never sad, not once did I ever see him sad, anyway. He'd want us to be happy, to move on. Right now I know it looks bleak, but it'll get easier. It has to."