Striking The Heart

Emotions

The next gloomy day had come. The sky above Kami's lookout was dark and miserable and thunder could be heard below. The Z warriors were seated outside under the shelter as the wind picked up its pace, blowing the trees around, chilling your spine when it hit you.

In silence, Piccolo leant against the wall, letting the events of the last few days settle in. So much had happened in the last week. So much misery…so much unwanted news. If it was possible, Piccolo had learnt to feel some emotions…most of it from Gohan. He felt misery and the pain of loss. Maybe not as much as the others, but he felt it.

Looking across at the others he sighed. They to felt such emotions right now. Though Bulma and 18 were quietly talking amongst themselves and Vegeta stood yelling away at the kids, he could see the dramatic change in them all. Even Vegeta maybe. A lot of change occurred in Chichi. So much had changed, he could notice it well.

He had got to know her a lot during Goku's seven years of absence. He held a lot of respect for the woman now, and maybe vice versa. He also understood her well. She was sat on a small wooden stool towards the back of the group, her hair out of its bun, hanging down her face and spilling down her slouched back. Her face was one of pain. How long had she been wearing that mask? Too long. She had just came back to life and not only has her husband been thieved of his powers, but he is going to die too. Piccolo felt for her, if possible. He felt bad for her…he felt pain for her.

Her tears had finally stopped now. Probably because she had no more left to cry. She watched the people before her, laughing and chatting away. She wasn't sure if they were enjoying themselves because they didn't care or because maybe they cared too much. After all, who didn't care about Goku? Her point exactly. A faint cry rung in her ears and everybody became quiet. They looked at her, knowing it was Gosha. Chichi felt their eyes on her. She knew she had to go and tend to her child, but she didn't want to go back in there again. Not where he was. But with a brave sigh she stood up and left the room.

Opening the door she peered inside to see him still sound asleep. She tip toed in, thinking it didn't really matter how much noise she made because Gosha was loudly crying anyway. She closed the door and went to her daughter's side and reached into the travel cot to pick her up. Gosha's teary face soon calmed down in her mother's arms as she was gently rocked back and forth. She looked up at Chichi, her sparkling eyes in question Chichi thought. Gosha had never seen her before. Of course she would be in wonder. She started to whimper again but Chichi beamed warmly down at the infant and held her closer, leaning back in the chair,singing a small tune to her as she did.

"Hush stop your crying…it'll be alright,

Just take my hand…and hold it tight,

I will protect you from all around you,

I will be here don't you cry" she gently sung, little Gosha's eyes gazing into hers and her crying ceasing.

"For one so small…you seem so strong,

My arms will hold you…keep you safe and warm,

No bond between us can be broken,

I will be here don't you cry,

Cause you'll be in my heart,

You'll be in my heart,

From this day forth, from now and forever on"

…"Always" she whispered. Gosha's eyes were closed and she was gently snoring. Chichi smiled tenderly down at her and planted a soft kiss on her forehead. Standing up, she bent over and placed Gosha down in the crib and wrapped her up with the soft white sheet. She watched her baby for several seconds, adoring her, worshipping her already. She stroked her cheek softly before whispering "Goodnight Sweetheart" and standing up fully.

"You used to sing that to me" a croaky tired male voice said. Chichi was startled and turned around rapidly, quite shocked at who she heard and saw.

"Goku" she worded his name so affectionately in the form of a whisper. He smiled weakly at her from the bed. He had woke up when Gosha started crying, and silently he lay and listened when Chichi came in.

"That was so long ago" she noted, walking over to him quietly. He peered up at her lovingly.

"You used to sing that when I got afraid…when I cried. And when you did, everything seemed to be okay again" he whispered. She smiled and sat down on the bed next to him.

"How are you feeling?" she asked soothingly stroking his hand. It felt warmer now which was a relief.

"A little tired and a little achy. Otherwise…I'm good" he quietly chirped. She chuckled lightly at him, but that soon stopped when she heard the weakness in his voice. It wasn't right for the Son Goku to be weak. It wasn't…normal.

"I'm so happy to see you awake" she whispered, stroking his cheek with her fingertips in a slow caressing movement. He leant into her palm and brought his hand up to hold hers. They remained that way for several minutes. Several minutes of bliss as Chichi put it. They just touched each other and smiled. That's all they wanted to do…touch each other…know the other was real…

He felt emotional now. So emotional because of how much he missed this woman he adored. He was so happy, so…relieved…overwhelmed. He couldn't explain how much he had wanted this. For days, weeks, months…all he wanted was this. To see her again, so touch her again. There was so much emotion now. He had to let it out.

He closed his eyes, her hand still upon his face. She warmly smiled, seeing how content he was. But when he opened them…her smile faded…

…was he crying?

Her facial features became full of concern as she looked down at him, a single tear now running down his face. He only smiled.

"You don't know…how much…I have missed you" he said, his voice beginning to break, "You don't know…how much I've dreamt of this moment…when we'd…finally be together again" he paused for a moment, "When you had gone…I was so…in-complete. My heart was torn…I wanted to just end my life…right then and there. I hated myself because I didn't protect you…I hated myself because it was my fault that I was alone. I didn't eat, I didn't sleep. I couldn't function…without you" he whimpered, now crying more than before, his hands and bottom lip trembling in the process.

"And the kids…they were never the same again. And it hurt so much more…seeing them…suffer…seeing them…like me. It was so hard…so hard Chi. And now I know what I put you through. And I swear to you Chichi…I won't let you suffer like that again…" he sobbed, the tears becoming frequent, racing down his face to reach the finish line at his chin. She was in incredulity by what she saw. She had never seen him so distraught, so hysteric. It frightened her.

"I love you Chichi…honey…I love you so much…" he cried. She pulled him into her arms, embracing him tightly yet gently. He sobbed for hours it seemed as she rocked his trembling form back and forth. He was like a child in her arms, a frightened, traumatised child. She never wanted to see him like this again. But she knew how he felt. She knew what it was like to loose a part of her heart…She knew the feeling of pain…She knew the salty bitterness of the tears on her lips. She knew it all…too well.

She held his head against her chest, her heart beat soothing him causing his sobs to cease a little more with every beat. Her fingers combed through his hair,comforting him some more. This wasn't some dream he was afraid to wake up from…this was real. His wife…his Chichi…was back, safe in his arms.

He had calmed down now, she could feel it. He was quiet and still in her arms, his fingers slightly moving as he made circular caresses on her lower back. She had never seen such a dramatic and surreal emotional outburst from him before. The words he previously used were galloping through her head like horses on a pale beach.

…I swear to you Chichi…I won't let you suffer like that again…

He didn't know how wrong he was. He didn't know that in four days time…he was going to die…and leave her again...and he didn't know how much those words were going to hurt her...