Striking The Heart

Telling Him

His sobbing had come to a halt and he still lay embraced in his wife's comforting arms. His breathing was a little faster than usual as he slowly drifted off to sleep. She continued to hold him and rock him back and forth like a baby as he gently snored. She had missed having him in her arms like this.

Many of their friends wouldn't believe some of the things that really happened inside their home. Goku, though a naïve guy, he was quite emotional at times. Sure, they all knew his angry side because of his fights, but they didn't know about his emotional side. Only she did. Like when he was afraid about a new threat on Earth, he would worry and become scared because of the safety of his family. He would worry because he loved them…he would worry because he loved her…

He cried quite a lot during their times alone. He would cry for leaving her…he would cry for hurting her…he would cry because he missed and loved her…

Nobody would know that, or understand that. But she did, and she knew that having her arms around him would make his worries disappear.

She remembered the night before he fought Cell when they were getting dressed for bed. He climbed into bed, a look of concentration on his face, as though he was thinking about something. She climbed in after him, gently asking what was wrong. He just looked at her, no emotion showing on his face, and then all of a sudden he burst into tears. She couldn't believe it. He was furiously crying, afraid that he might not come back. And she just couldn't believe it. But she held him like she did now and comforted him like a good wife would and he calmed down, his sobs turning into mere sniffles. After that they spent most of the night talking, touching, kissing and making love to each other. Who knew that would be their last night together…

She smiled as she looked down at his sleeping form. No matter what they said, Goku was a compassionate and affectionate man. Especially towards her, Gohan and Goten and now the added Gosha and she loved him with all of her heart, no matter what.

She decided it was time for him to have some much needed rest and so she lay him down on the mattress and pulled the sheets up and over his body to reach his chest. She watched him for several more seconds before planting a gentle kiss on his forehead and softly caressing his chin with her fingertips.

"I love you" she whispered before departing the room. But with every footstep away from his body, she became lonely and she longed for him. As bizarre as it sounded, she didn't want to leave his side. Not only because she missed him because of their previous separation, but because now they were counting down the days until…he died. There were two days left for her husband. Two days left for her and her children to have with him. But what if he didn't have two days? What if he had one? What if it happened in his sleep?

She shook the horrid thoughts away and tried to think positive. She thought that she should enjoy the time they had left and savour it. She shouldn't be thinking negative thoughts…not now…

The night sky was drawing in as the day slowly came to an end. The group of warriors were seated outside with a little fire going for warmth. Marron had been tucked into bed along with Goten and Trunks.

The group were quiet, making no sound, no movement, listening to the crackling of the fire. Vegeta was perched up against the wall to the palace and Piccolo also. Bulma decided to speak for them all.

"So what are we going to do?" she whispered getting everyone's attention.

"About what?" asked Yamcha.

"About everything" she whispered, "About Wilhem, about all those innocent people he's probably torturing down there…and Goku…"She trailed off silently. She glanced across at Chichi to get her reaction to her husband's name…but there was none…she just remained silent and still. Bulma envied her friend's sturdy, courageous role. She wouldn't let it out so easily, she kept it hidden under the angry mask as best she could. Bulma had to give her some credit for that.

"About Wilhem. I don't know what we're going to do about him. With Goku's powers now, we don't stand a chance" Piccolo said in his deep gruff voice. Yamcha nodded.

"Maybe we could use the Dragon balls" suggested Krillin,

"Yeah, finding them shouldn't be too hard" Yamcha added.

"Yeah, that is an option, it's been almost a year now" Bulma agreed.

"But even if we did use the dragon balls to weaken him, we still won't be any match. I mean, this guy is strong anyway and possesses an enormous aura of energy" Yamcha stated.

"But it's worth a try if you ask me" Tien spoke, the others soon nodding in agreement.

Suddenly the door creaked at the entrance. The group turned round and found little Goten standing there, his one hand rubbing his tired eye, the other holding his teddy bear.

"Goten" Chichi mouthed silently. He appeared sad. Gohan decided to help out and tend to his little brother.

"Come on tiger. I'll take you back to bed" he said, picking him up and carrying him back inside.

Reaching the boys' room he went straight through the open doorway and sat down on the bed with Goten, carefully trying not to wake the slumbering Trunks next to them.

"What's up squirt?" Gohan asked gently. Goten looked up at him, tears threatening to fall from his young innocent eyes.

"I'm scared brother" he said, holding onto Gohan's arm, "I'm scared because…daddy's going to leave us" he whimpered, tears now falling freely, "I don't want him to leave Gohan. I love daddy…I want him to stay with me and you, and Mommy…and Gosha. I want him to stay!" he cried loudly. Gohan sighed, understanding the youngster and pulled him in for a brotherly hug.

"I know how you feel Goten. And I know it's going to be hard. But I'm afraid…there's nothing we can do to stop it" Gohan's voice began to shake. Though he was growing up, he still was a child inside, and he to was afraid for what was to happen to his father. Goku was his inspiration, his idol, his rock. Goku was everything to Gohan, no matter what he did or said…he worshipped his father, and he knew Goten had learnt to also. He didn't want this to happen as much as everyone else. But he knew there was nothing he could do.

"Goten" Gohan gently said, his little brother looking up at him, tears still spilling down his face, "I know its hard kiddo, and I know you're sad, but we mustn't be sad now. We have to enjoy the time we have with him and not think about the next day. We have to enjoy it and then we can remember it in times to come" Gohan said.

"But he's our daddy. I don't want to be without him Gohan. I'm gonna miss him lots"

"Me too" Gohan replied, "Now come on, how about you get some sleep? You'll feel better in the morning" Goten obliged and cuddled into the bed next to Trunks and closed his eyes.

"Gohan" he called before Gohan left.

"Yeah?"

"You won't leave me will you brother?" he asked, now looking at him.

"Of course not Goten. I'll never leave you" he replied with a smile.

"Okay. G'night" Goten whispered cuddling back in and shutting his eyes.

Walking back outside, Gohan could feel a familiar presence approaching. He raced over to the others to tell them when a small group flew up and landed on the lookout.

"Videl?" Gohan questioned. She smiled and ran up to him.

"Videl, I thought you were still on vacation" he said.

"We came back yesterday. I called your house but nobody answered and I had a feeling something was going on. That was soon answered when some freak show decided to blow up half of west city"

"Oh no! Wilhem!" Yamcha said, gritting his teeth.

"You know him?" asked a curious Videl.

"You've missed a lot whilst you've been away. I'll have to tell you everything"

"Hey what about us?" came a familiar voice. Gohan turned around to see Hercule and Buu standing there.

"Oh hey guys, sorry, I didn't realise you were there"

"Yeah, too busy with my daughter eh?" Gohan blushed.

He told Videl and Hercule everything, about Wilhem, his mom and Goku.

"You mean…this Wilhem guy now is the strongest being in the world?"

"Most probably"

"And your dad is…" she couldn't finish the last word. She didn't have the heart to. But Gohan nodded slowly. She peered behind her boyfriend to see Chichi sat there in a slouched position. She suddenly walked past Gohan and reached her spot and sat down next to her. Chichi lightly smiled.

"It's great to have you back Chichi" she gently said.

"Thanks Videl" she mumbled as nicely as she could. Videl soon took her hand and gently squeezed in for reassurance.

"No matter what, I'm going to be here for you and Gohan and the others. I'll help out as best as I can, especially with Gosha"

"Thank you Videl. It's very kind of you"

"She was a great helper when you weren't here mom" "She came over a lot to help me and dad. Gosha likes her too" Gohan said with a slight chuckle.

"I'm sure she does" Chichi said with a smile.

"So, where is Goku now?" Videl asked as she stood up.

"Right here" a mumbled tired voice responded to her.

Everybody rapidly turned around, shocked yet happy to see Goku up and smiling.

"Dad?" Gohan questioned.

"Hey son"

"Goku you should be in bed!" Bulma suddenly said in worry.

"I'm alright Bulma. I'm a little tired a little wobbly in places, but I'm managing. I really wanted to come out and get some fresh air" he said, sitting down next to Krillin by the fire.

Krillin looked across at Bulma and Chichi, almost asking whether they should tell him or not. Bulma took her gaze from his to Chichi's. She nodded and so Bulma took a deep breath.

"Goku, there's something we need to tell you" she said quietly.

"Okay"

"Well, as you know, all your powers were taken by Wilhem" he nodded, "But, because your heart had been untouched, Saiyan blood was still pumping out through your veins. Then the other day, those hooded guys came here and they injected a substance called VT into your heart" she paused and swallowed, "VT is a deadly poison…it kills everything…in its path" she whispered. He continued to listen.

"Goku…you're going to die" she blurted out, her eyes stinging and watering up. They all gazed at him, wondering what his reaction would be. He sat there, slowly letting it all sink in. He wasn't sure what to make of it all, but he understood it.

"How long do I have?" he questioned to everyone's astonishment.

"Um…three, well…two days now maybe" she said quietly, avoiding eye contact with him. He left it there and thought quietly to himself for the remainder of the evening.

Not long after, he found himself in bed yet again, his wife quietly on the opposite side of the room bottle feeding Gosha. He watched her quietly, little suckling noises coming from his daughter's mouth.

To be honest, he didn't care what was going to happen to him. He didn't care that he was going to die…he wasn't afraid of dying. But he was afraid of leaving his family behind. Especially with Wilhem out there, well and kicking. He couldn't deny he'd miss her. That's one thing he hated about leaving…he'd miss her and his children…he's be lonely for the rest of eternity. That was something he couldn't handle, yet he had to put up with it.

He knew she wouldn't be all alone though. She'd have the kids and all of their friends, just like he did when she was gone. But he knew how much it hurt and he knew how painful it was to suffer. That's another thing he would regret when his time came…leaving her in an angry void of desolation. He could hardly stand for it, but could she?

"There you go" Chichi whispered, setting Gosha down in the travel crib. She patted her back for several moments before leaving her child's sleeping side and walking over to her husband's.

He lay there comfortable it seemed, his eyes burning into hers and a smile held in place upon his face, melting her inner core. She couldn't help but smile back as she reached him and sat down on the bed. He sighed in content and gazed up at her lovingly.

"You're so beautiful" he whispered affectionately, letting his fingertips caress her jaw. She smiled lightly at him.

"And you're so handsome" he chuckled.

"Nah, it's just the smile" he responded, still in a gentle tone. A moment's silence was held between them as they let their fingers stroke each other.

"How's Goten?" he asked in a whisper. He let his fingers draw a line from her right cheek to her chin and down her neck making her tingle all over. But she grasped his hand softly and held it in hers.

"How do you think he is? He's been through Hell. First I die, then he finds out my body's been stolen. Then I'm back and he thinks that he's finally got his whole family back together again, and now he's just found out that his father's going to die. Not only that but the world is being terrorised by that…lunatic" she said, becoming hysterical, tears threatening to fall, "How do you think he feels? How do you think Gohan feels? How do you think I feel? I mean, what do you think we're going to do without you? How are we going to get through this Goku? How?" he silenced her with his two fingers.

"Chi, lets not talk about such things now" "Now is not the time" he said soothingly. He didn't want to hear it…he didn't want to hear and see anything related to pain and despair. He had his wife back now and that's all that mattered right now.

She shivered against his touch, his gentle yet strong masculine fingers stroking her top and bottom lip. She kissed his index finger softly and lightly, receiving a pleased smile from his face. He was right she guessed. There would be time to mourn, but it wasn't now.

"I missed you" He whispered. She smiled warmly down at him, "Come here" he said, letting her cuddle down next to him, her arms as if by instinct wrapping around his strong neck. His eyes still remained, burning into her depths, their noses barely touching and nudging the other.

"I've longed for this…for many nights" he whispered so quietly she could barely hear. She smiled.

"Me too" she replied the same way, "And I've missed you so very much too" he beamed at her words, inching closer to her, his breath caressing her skin.

"I love you" he spoke in a quiet tone, his eyes looking up and down from her eyes to her mouth. She knew the look and moved closer to him, her eyes becoming heavy. His eyelids shut half way also as he moved forward, brushing his lips softly over hers. She completed the kiss by returning it, delicately letting her fingers comb through his midnight spiked up hair. He moaned gently, their mouths beginning to move together, slowly and lightly. There was no need for lust or desperation right now. Just love and affection.

He slipped his tongue out between the open kiss and licked her upper and bottom lip, wanting access to the warmth and sweetness within. She let him enter and soon enough her tongue was dancing gently with his, passionately and perfectly. A small moan escaped his mouth as his hands reached up to take hold of her cheeks and pull her closer, letting him kiss her a little deeper.

The tender kiss lasted for a few more minutes, her fingers still tangling in his hair and his still claiming her cheeks firmly. But sooner than he wanted, she pulled away, her breathing a little faster than normal. And to think he caused that. He smiled at her causing her to blush.

"I better go and check on the boys" she spoke breathlessly, her hands still in his hair. Though disappointed he nodded.

"Okay. But…" he stopped in mid sentence.

"But what honey?"

"Can you sleep with me tonight?" he asked sheepishly. She hadn't been sleeping with him since he had his powers taken. She wanted to let him have the space and well deserved rest. She rolled her eyes teasingly.

"Of course I will my sweet warrior" she whispered placing a brief tender kiss on his lips and sitting up, "But get some sleep because you need it"

"Okay hon" he replied, watching her with loving eyes as she walked away. Opening the door she looked back at his smiling face.

"Goodnight sweetheart"

"Goodnight" he replied before closing his tired eyes. She sighed and closed the door. Outside of his room she leant back against the door frame. She was head over heels from that kiss. Not only did it make her feel better but it reminded her that her husband loved her and that he was still there.

But that thought still plagued her mind. That thought haunted her every being. They were counting down the days now, and only two remained. She couldn't bear to think about it, but how couldn't she? How could she not remember that her husband was going to die in two days…maybe less? She felt as though she was going to cry again.

"No, I won't let this get me down" she ordered to herself, trying to regain her composure and not think about such things. Besides, she'd have Goku to herself tonight, and right now, that was all that really mattered…