Chapter Five: Cry For Me and I'll Cry For You, It's Not Alright So I'll Let It Storm
NOTES: Just so you guys know, today, June 17, 2005, my riding instructor called my house and told me that the two horses that I ride and love most got struck by lightning in a storm the other day and were both killed. This chapter will most definitely be influenced by that.
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This chapter is dedicated to Coco and Chief, I love both of you, and I'll never forget you. Be safe, forever and always. I love you both so much, don't forget that.
Goodbye.
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No, I'm not okay. I won't be okay for a long, long time. I have spent eight straight years with these horses, I grew up with them. So if you tell me anything, don't you dare tell me that it's okay. Say you're sorry or that it will be alright if you want, but don't tell me that it's okay. It's not. If my acting like this offends you then, well, maybe we just wouldn't along very well.
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This chapter will be very short.
DISCLAIMER: No.
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REVIEWS:
TheShadowPanther: Ah, Perfunctory Man-Slaughter. I know how that feels. (slither) "RAAV!" is actually supposed to be "RAABU!" with no speaking of the 'u', because that's how you say "LOVE!" is Engrish. Since there isn't a 'V' sound in Japanese, I have to make due with "B".
Nah, I don't think I'll pair Harry and Draco up, I think it would be a little too much for Gohan to deal with, with what I've got planned for him. (half-hearted smirk)
Personally, I think that if people are even reading this story, then they should have already read "Partners" and "Shinrai", where I already went over those words (simple words!). I'm just saying that it makes more sense that way. After all, why would you read the third story first and not the first two? (is being a hypocrite)
Yeah, Tobi used to be mad at me, but he's not anymore. He's such a good muse to me. (hugs ChibiMuse and sobs)
Tobi: I can't be mad at you when you're sad all the time.
Gazer is awesome, and the reason Hagrid didn't wait until fourth year…. Well, I just didn't want him to.
By the way, what do you think I should have Harry and Draco nickname Gohan? Harry calls Draco "Reptile" and Draco refers to Harry as "Hero", so I think Gohan needs one.
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"I'm just a little bit in grief, so don't make me cry anymore,
Just leave me alone, you can't help at all,
I'm not okay, it's not alright,
Watch the rage and watch me fall,
Can't make it stop
And I cannot bear
To see the day
That you will go and leave me here
Alone," Gohan sang moodily a few days later in the Slytherin dorms. No one else was in there so he felt that he could be blunt.
"What's wrong?" Draco asked him in concern, but got nothing but a sad, dreary expression. "Seriously, what happened? I hate it when you look like that."
"It's nothing, you wouldn't get it." the saiyan murmured, "Just leave me alone."
"Didn't we already go through this with hero?" he asked, raising a brow, "Didn't you yell at him for being upset and holding it in? Hm?"
No response.
"Oh, come on! Look, when we first met, I said that we'd be friends, right?" the blonde demanded, and was answered with a reluctant nod, "Well, there you go. We're friends, and even though I've never actually had a real one, I'm worried about you. So tell me, please?"
"Well, I'm just not feeling too hot lately," Gohan began, "And I'm not exactly sure why I feel like this."
"Well, what's wrong with you?" Draco asked in concern, stepping forward and resting a hand on the hybrid's shoulder.
"My head hurts, and I get this pounding feeling in my chest like it's going to get ripped apart, and I can't cheer up no matter what. It's like I'll never be happy again, and when I even think about it, my throat starts burning and I start crying. I don't know what's wrong with me!" he burst out, and Draco was shocked to see that he looked like he was going to start crying again.
"Has anything happened?"
"No, and that's why I'm freaking out! I don't have any reason to be so upset, so I shouldn't be acting like this!"
"Look," Draco soothed, "It's Saturday. Why don't you go and sit out by the lake, or hang out with Gazer, or play with Katana or something to take your mind off?" Gohan blinked for a second, bangs falling into his face, before nodding.
"Yeah, good idea. Maybe a walk will calm me down a bit." he agreed, and a small smile slipped over his face when Draco stood and promptly began shoving him out the door.
"Go, go, cheer up! Have some fun!" he ordered, and Gohan nodded, obeying silently.
Quietly, he meandered the halls, watching people walk past and wondering just what they were thinking. Were they all really as happy as they looked and seemed? Or were they more like Harry, upset and distressed about something and unable to express it? Or were they like Draco, or even himself?
Stepping out of the castle, the saiyan was nearly blinded by the sunlight and he rested his hand half over his eyes so he didn't have to squint. Recognizing his footsteps, Gazer whinnied happily off in the distance, and after stopping to give him a loving pet on the neck he turned and stripped off his shirt, boots, and jewelry, to inhale quickly and take a flying leap into the lake. It was freezing, being the middle of December, and with a large splash Gohan surfaced, shaking his hair out of his face.
The water was icy like nothing he'd ever felt, but it was oddly comfortable. Sighing contentedly, the saiyan dove down again under the water, going right down to the bottom, skimming the silky sand.
Now this, is quite possibly the closest I'll get to heaven, he thought to himself, and couldn't help but laugh as fish swam up to him and nibble curiously at his fingers, bubbles floating up as he did. I guess Draco was right, maybe I was just tense. Maybe.
Little foal, what are you doing? Gazer inquired in a loud, authoritive neigh. Blinking, Gohan swam up to the bank to grasp lightly onto the soft grass by the fence, face to face with the unicorn. Gazer snorted and nuzzled at his face through the slats, making the saiyan laugh.
"I'm swimming, what does it look like?" he retorted jokingly, and Gazer stared at him calmly.
Are you trying to be a fish? he asked, Because if the gods wished for us to swim we would be scaly like Hippocampi.
"You don't have to live in the water to like it." Gohan said, "I happen to like swimming." he shook his head, "Wait here, and I'll show you something." Gazer snorted in confusion as the boy dove down again and came up several minutes later with a sparkling blue shell held gently in his hand.
What is that for? the unicorn, and Gohan laughed.
"That, my hoofed friend, is a secret for now. But do you think it is pretty?"
Why do you ask such things?
"Because I want to know!" Gohan exclaimed, scrambling up onto the back and perching himself on the fence, holding out the shell, "So, do you?"
I have never been asked such a thing, Gazer admitted, Exactly what constitutes as pretty?
"You can see in color, right?"
Of course, what do you take me for?
"Well, does the color appeal to you?"
I don't understand.
"Pretty is….well, really hard to describe, I guess. It's when you see something and like it, when it makes you happy, and you like to see it. Do you understand it now?" Gohan tried to explain. Frankly, he didn't think it was working. Gazer tilted his head.
Does it make me happy? Do I like to see it? Like it? I….think I do. It's nice. The unicorn confirmed, I like it. He stamped a hoof. Now, why do you ask?
"Just curious." Gohan said impishly, shaking the water out of his hair, laughing as Gazer threw his head up and the spray landed on him.
You had better watch yourself, little foal, before you do something I'll retaliate for. the unicorn warned gently, stomping a hoof.
"You wouldn't get me!" Gohan teased, hopping down off of the fence. "Hey, do you want to go for a walk?"
Walk?
"I mean, in the forest." the boy clarified, and as if on cue, Gazer snorted.
Excuse me, but last time I checked, you weren't allowed in there.
"Come on." Gohan prodded, "When was the last time you actually got out for a bit? And besides, I wouldn't be by myself, you'd be there. You know your way around the forest better than I do." At that point, the hybrid was banking on flattering the unicorn leader. Flattery was best. After several seconds, Gazer finally nickered a consent, pricking up his ears, and edged over to the fence.
Alright then, he accepted, But if I'm going to allow you in there, you are riding me, so you won't be attacked by anything unwelcome, alright? A nod in resignation. So, hop on, my little foal.
Easily, Gohan took a handful of the mane that was purer than snow and hopped up onto Gazer's back, tightening his legs gently around the unicorn's sides.
I take it that it will go without question that your human signals will not be necessary, correct?
"Hai," the boy answered, "But if I slip up and forget, don't be mad, okay?"
Certainly not.
"Good."
Then let's be off. With that, Gazer set off at a silky trot that was as easy to sit to as a running walk, tail held high like a flag and neck arching gracefully. Prancing, he circled around and broke into a light canter, before bunching up his muscles at the fence and soaring over it. Gohan truly felt that he had wings upon this magnificent creature, and nickering eagerly, Gazer cantered into the forest, easily avoiding trees and vines.
"See Gazer, aren't you glad that we went?"
I suppose, little foal. I take it that you have missed nature yourself?
"Yes, I have." the saiyan answered, letting his hair loose and allowed it to cascade down, pooling at Gazer's back. The unicorn settled quickly into an easy trot. "The castle is wonderful, don't get me wrong, but there's nothing like being outside without a human for miles."
I agree.
"Say, why is it that Hagrid or anyone else never notices you or that I hang out with you and your herd?" Gohan inquired mildly, loosely holding a lock of Gazer's mane in each of his slender hands, "It just seems odd."
Well, the unicorn commented, Don't be offended, but the human race is very unobservant. I am not surprised in the slightest that your classmates do not notice me, and I believe that if your Hagrid didn't feed us or say good morning to us he wouldn't notice us there either. Suddenly, Gazer sped up, picking his hooves up quicker and shortening his stride.
"What's up?"
Hush, my little foal. There is something unwelcome following us. Do not be alarmed.
"Oh yes, quite. Just how am I supposed to not be alarmed?" Gohan asked, craning his head around to look for the intruder.
By my warning? Aiiyyahhh! Suddenly, Gazer let out a panicked shriek and broke to a full gallop, just as a large something burst out of the bushes and tore at his hip, drawing blood.
"Gazer!" the boy exclaimed, leaning forward and grasping his guardian's neck in order to make it easier for the animal to run, putting as little weight on Gazer's back as he could, "Are you alright!"
I will be fine, just hold tight and I will get us out of here- Damn it! The thing was gaining and with another sharp bite Gazer was down of his knees, silver blood staining his coat, Get behind me, you are a foal, I will protect you!
"No! I can protect myself!" Gohan yelled, dismounting and standing in front of the fallen unicorn, arms outstretched in defiance. He clasped his hands and a bright ball of fire pooled in them, he formed a sword and swung furiously. His aim was true, and the thing fell, bleeding from a large wound in it's side. Ignoring it for the moment, he turned to Gazer, who was trying to struggle to his feet, "Oh god, Gazer!"
I will be fine.
"You're not fine, oh god." he exclaimed and without a thought wrenched off his t-shirt, tearing it into strips, first wrapping Gazer's heavily bleeding leg and then using the rest to press on his hip to stop the bleeding. "Don't move, I took a first aid course in Pallet Town with Oak-sama, I can handle this, at least, even if I'm not old enough to be registered."
Little foal, I am not your regular animal. I am not one of your pokemon.
"Maybe not, but you are a horse, and that is something I know something about, kapice?" Gohan was taking no arguments and slowly Gazer rested his head upon a bed of leaves that the hybrid had swiftly gotten together, making sure to mind his horn. "Now, for that thing that was chasing us…" he started, and walked over to where the fallen mass of black fur lay, absently preparing a ball of fire in his hand just in case.
It looked like some form ofhorrendous dog, but the size of a small pony, or one of Gazer's foals. Its fur, save the shine of blood, was a pitch black, but so caked with mud that it was impossible to tell what color is should be. Ribs showed through the thin skin, and the muzzle was bleeding from one of Gazer's kicks. Its eyes were open and staring blankly, and dim chocolaty brown. Despite himself, Gohan found himself feeling pity for this wretched creature , and continuing to guard himself, moved it over beside a tree by its midsection.
"Hey, are you sick?" he asked it, "You must be. Sick or crazy, to attack a unicorn, you know." the animal whined and tried to get away, "Now stop that, you're hurt as it is."
What is wrong with you? Are you suicidal! Gazer exclaimed angrily, It tried to kill us!
"Maybe so, but nothing will attack a unicorn without good damn reason, right? Maybe I can talk to it."
Listen, I don't mean to be harsh, but if that thing is as suicidal as I think it might be, perhaps it would be best to leave it to die. It certainly won't last long, and I'm sure that it would prefer to die alone. If you want to show it kindness, then leave it be and lets go back to the castle. Gazer shook his head and stood, walking over to where Gohan stood to nudge his shoulder, I know it hurts, but you cannot save everything that crosses your path.
"I know that." Gohan said quietly, absently raising a hand to stroke Gazer on the neck, "I know that better than you know. I appreciate that you are willing to allow me to be kind to it, but I can't just let it die." Leaning down, he reached into his pockets and pulled out a potion and several sandwiches left over from lunch. "I know that the potion won't do much for something in his condition, but it isn't fair to not give him a chance, is it?" Quiet, he set the sandwiches down by the animal's mouth. "This is the test, you know." he told it, "If you want to live, then take the lifeline I'm offering you. I'll take care of you if you want me to, so if you want a chance, I'll be at the edge of the forest in three nights time, alright?" then he fell silent and began to walk away, Gazer right beside him, the unicorn's great head hanging a little bit lower than usual, keeping it even with Gohan's shoulder.
That was a great thing you just did. Gazer murmured. The code of the unicorns is very strict, and were you my own foal I would more than likely give you a good hard nip for not goring him right then and there. Gohan's face fell, but he looked up when Gazer nudged him gently, But maybe the Unicorn Code has room for a few exceptions, eh, my two-legged foal?
"Could be. Could be."
As they walked away, neither of them noticed the eerie dog sit up agonizingly, lower his head, and begin togulp down the sandwiches.
END CHAPTER
I told you guys that it would be short. I promise that the next one will be longer. I'm just not feeling up to it at the moment.
The only hint I'll give you guys on this chapter is this: There is a connection to Gohan's moodiness and Mystery Animal. (If you guys can't figure out what it is, I'll be upset!)