The Treasure of Power

Disclaimer:                Nothing's mine…

A/N:                           First of all, thank you for your reviews!!! Keep them coming! *g*
As you maybe see, I decided to split this chapter into two parts, otherwise it would've taken me too long to update this story! I hope you don't mind!

Chapter 3: "Surprise - Part One"

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The same evening in the palace Bulma was on her way to her father's office. One of the servants had told her that he wanted to see her and that it was important. She had a bad feeling about this, especially after he hadn't shown up for dinner. As she arrived at the office, she knocked at the door and entered it, just to see her father sitting at his desk with two other men.

"You called for me, father?" she asked politely, like it was right for a woman of her class.

"Oh, Bulma, here you are…" Lord Briefs nodded to the two men, who left the office after that. "Please sit down. There's something I have to talk to you about."

Bulma sat down in a chair and as the door was closed behind the two men, she looked at his father. "Okay, what's up, daddy?"

"I'm sorry to tell you, but in the next few days, or maybe weeks, you are not allowed to leave the palace."

"WHAT?" she yelled. "WHY?"

"Bulma, dear, please calm down…" he tried to soothe her. "See, it's just for your own safety. I've received a letter this afternoon from General Kaiou. Something's going to happen." He pushed a piece of paper to his daughter. "It's better when you read it for yourself."

Bulma took the letter and began to read. When she had finished the later, she put it back on the table and looked at her father with a resolved expression on her face. He was right. From what the letter told her, the situation was really serious. "And what are you planning to do, dad?"

"Well, first I thought that I could send you away, but it could be too late to do that. This pirate could be anywhere out there and it would now be too dangerous for you to go anywhere. He could try to use you to get the sphere. So I think that the safest place for you is right now the palace, with all the security guards. Right now I'm really glad that your mother is visiting her friend. She's away far enough to be out of danger," Lord Briefs said with relief in his voice.

"Do you have any idea who the 'best man' is, General Kaiou is writing about?"

Her father shook his head. "I don't know. But we will see tomorrow. Apropos tomorrow. I want you to welcome this man, because I'll be in a conference."

Bulma sighed, not really liking the idea of those matters being again laid into her hands. With her being the only child of her parents, she would eventually have to take the place of her father someday, so it happened more often that she had to take care of his matters. "Okay, daddy…"

~*~

The following morning Goku woke up quite early. His new mission should start today and he wanted to be at the palace as soon as possible. When the General had told him the previous night what was probably going to happen, he sounded really urgent and serious and Goku still had this strange feeling in his stomach. He knew that something was going to happen. Soon. And he didn't want to abandon Lord Briefs and his family. He was pretty good friends with his daughter, Bulma, whom he knew since they were still kids, because of the friendship between her father and the General.

Goku smiled at the memories. Bulma was never like other high-classed girls. Together with her and Krillin he had experienced some adventures, well nothing compared to the adventures he had when he was on sea, but for kids they had been adventures. They had even sometimes managed to talk ChiChi, the daughter of the so-called Ox-King, Gyuu Mao, into coming with them, but she had always been a bit scared and when she was really furious it was better to stay out of her way.

Some people always thought that he would get together with Bulma, even though she was older. But Goku was well educated and people respected him, even at young age. He was the grandson of the legendary Son Gohan and the best man of General Kaiou. Well, Goku had to admit, she was really beautiful, with her long aqua colored hair and her blue eyes, but he never saw more in her than just a friend. He knew that Bulma just wanted to meet the perfect man, but when someone tried to set her up with someone, she often scared him away with her temper.

Goku chuckled lightly, letting his mind wander for a few seconds, wondering if she had finally found the right man. Whatever, as Goku had turned sixteen, General Kaiou had sent him and Krillin on their first mission, of course under the commando of an experienced captain. To make sure that they would not just be educated in the art of sailing, there was even a private tutor for both of them on the ship. And Goku learned fast, so that he got his own ship two years later, which he christened "Kintoun". On this first mission he met his other friends, who were now his crew: the bandit Yamcha and the swindlers Tenshinhan and Chao-Zu. At first they all had been enemies, but after they helped Goku and Krillin in a ticklish situation, they became friends.

They returned three years later, just in time for General Kaiou to send them to a formal dance at the palace. It seemed like he wanted to try again to get Goku and Bulma together. But it seemed like Yamcha fell for her and Goku could tell that she liked him a lot. Yamcha had told him later that the guards had thrown him out of the palace, because they caught him kissing Bulma, what was a big surprise all of them, because they all knew of Yamcha's fear for girls and women.

But at that evening Goku also saw her again, beautiful as never before…

He shook his head. He didn't want to think about her now. There were too many painful memories and he had to keep a clear head for his new assignment. If this Prince Vegeta was really as dangerous as everyone said, he would need his mind focused on his mission. Every distraction could be fatal.

~*~

Goku arrived at the palace about two hours later. After he left Chikyuu to one of the grooms, he went to the entrance, where a servant was already waiting for him. "Good morning, Captain Goku," the man greeted him smiling, "So you're the one the General sent. I'm sure the Lady will be happy to have a familiar face around in this situation. I will show you to your room now and after that the Lord told me that you should go to his daughter. He's in a conference right now and doesn't have time to welcome you."

"Okay, thank you… I can't wait to see Bulma. It's been a long time," Goku said, as he followed him to his room.

After he had unpacked his few clothes, Goku decided that he would now go and look for his childhood friend. He scratched his head. The servant had forgotten to tell him, where he should meet her. Well, he was sure that he would find her somehow.

As he was walking through a hallway and just wanted to round a corner, he suddenly heard a noise and in the next moment he felt something colliding with him and sending him to the floor. Startled, he sat up and saw a small boy sitting in front of him, who was rubbing his head. The boy had longer unruly black hair, which was tied back and black eyes. Goku guessed that he must be about five years old. The boy looked up at him, shock written all over his face, causing Goku to smile. "Hey, little boy… Why in such a hurry?"

"I'm sorry…" the boy mumbled. "I didn't see you. I'm really sorry."

"Nah, it isn't that bad." Goku got up again and help the boy to his feet. He crouched down, so that he was about eyelevel with him, and ruffled through his hair. "I must say I'm impressed. You're pretty strong. It's really hard to knock me off my feet. How old are you, boy and what's your name?"

"I'm five years old and my name is Gohan! I'm named after the legendary Son Gohan!" the boy announced proudly.

"Really?" Goku asked stunned. Well, that was a surprise.

Gohan nodded eagerly. "And I want to become as strong and famous as him. That's why I'm training with Piccolo. You probably don't know him since I haven't seen you here before. He's one of the Lord's bodyguards. He's really strong! But my mother doesn't like it when I'm fighting. She rather wants me to study all day." Gohan sighed. "But that doesn't stop me. Who are you anyway? Are you a new guard?"

Goku smiled. He already liked this boy. He could see the fire in him and for his age he was already pretty strong. He could become a great fighter. "Well, Gohan… I was sent here by General Kaiou to protect the Lord and his family from an evil pirate. My name is Son Goku and, believe it or not, I'm the grandson of the legendary Son Gohan."

Gohan's eyes widened. "Really? You're THE Son Goku? I've heard so much about you! You're almost as famous as your grandfather!"

Goku scratched the back of his head, slightly embarrassed. "Is that so?" Gohan nodded excitedly. "Okay, when you say it, it must be right. Hey, I have an idea. What do you think of training with me now and then while I'm here?"

The boy's eyes widened even more, if that was even possible. "You really want to train with me? Wow… Of course I would like to train with you!"

Suddenly they heard a deafening scream. "GOOOOOOHHHHHAAAAAAAN!"

Both, Gohan and Goku winced by this scream. "It seems like someone is looking for you…" Goku said, smiling at him sympathetically. He already felt sorry for the boy.

"That's my mom. You must know I kind of tried to sneak away from studying."

Just at that moment, a woman with black hair, tied back into a bun, came around the corner. "Gohan! Here you are! I've been looking for you everywhere! You should be in your room studying!"

"I'm sorry mom, but I already studied so much yesterday and I wanted to train…"

"Train?! All you ever think about is training! And what about your education?…"

Goku had immediately gotten up and watched how the boy's mother continued her ranting. All of sudden it hit him and he felt a new twinge of pain in his heart. No, it couldn't be true… Gohan's mother… It was ChiChi. ChiChi is a mother? What was she doing here? From what the boy told him, he thought that he was living here. Was ChiChi's husband someone who lived and worked at the palace?

Goku was torn out of his thoughts, when Gohan tried to get his mother's attention. "Mom, please… we have company." ChiChi stopped her scolding and looked at the young man. Goku thought he could see her face becoming paler. "Mom, this is…"

"Goku?" ChiChi asked surprised. She looked at him. He had grown a bit and was also more muscular than the last time she had seen him. He had become even more handsome than before.

"You know him?" Gohan asked confused.

"Hello ChiChi…"

"When… I mean, how long have you been back? I didn't know that you were home already. And what are you doing here?"

"I've come home two days ago. I'm sure you've already heard about what's probably going to happen, right?" ChiChi nodded. "And that's why I'm here."

ChiChi didn't know what she should do. She hadn't seen the man in front of her for six years. Six long years! The memories of that night came back into her mind. The night when… She looked from Goku down to a confused Gohan and back to Goku. "Gohan, please go and play somewhere, okay? I have to talk to Goku," she said, sounding urgent.

"Mom? What's going on?"

"I'm sorry ChiChi, but I don't have time now. I need to go to Bulma first. Maybe we can talk later?" Goku asked, feeling really uncomfortable.

"Oh, okay… Later…" ChiChi agreed reluctantly. She really needed to talk to him, but she understood that talking to Bulma was right now more important.

Goku had just been going a few meters, as he suddenly turned around again. "Uhm, do you know where she is right now?"

ChiChi almost let a small smile pass her lips. He still seemed to be the same Goku, who had left all those years ago. "She's in her room. I'm sure you still know where it is."

"Okay, thank you ChiChi. See you later Gohan!" He waved at them and then made his way to Bulma's room.

~*~

Bulma was already pacing impatiently in her room, waiting for the General's 'best man' to come to her. She already knew that he had arrived, but the servant hadn't told her who it was. She was just cursing about how her father could just leave her with this 'job', as she heard a knock at the door. "Come in," she said and sat down on her couch, watching the door. And she was surprised to see the one who entered. "Goku!" She jumped up again and hugged him.

"Hello Bulma! Long time no see!" Goku greeted her smiling, returning the hug.

"Yeah, really a long time! Six years, right? Let me take a look at you." She let go of him and took a step back, so that the distance between them was about an arm length. "Wow, you've grown a lot and I guess you're also stronger, aren't you?"

"Yeah, but you look also good. And you still haven't found the right one?"

Bulma shook her head sadly. "No. Mom and dad still try to set me up with some rich men, but they're all too snobbish." She turned up her nose. Suddenly a thought crossed her mind. "Say," she began carefully, "do you know that ChiChi's living here?"

Goku nodded. "I already met her and her son in the hallway. I didn't know that she had a child."

"You don't know a lot of things…" Bulma muttered under her breath.

"Did you say something?"

"What? No… I guess you haven't talked to her much…"

"No, I first wanted to talk to you. Make sure that you are okay," Goku told her.

"Don't worry Goku, I am okay. I'm feeling safer now, knowing that you are here. You've never let me down." She paused. "You should go to ChiChi now. I'm sure there's something she wants to talk to you about."

"Really?" Goku asked surprised. "What?"

"I'm sorry Goku, but I have no right to tell you. You really should talk to her. Her room's just this hallway down and then the last door on the right side."

"Okay, then I'll go now…" he said hesitating and left her room.

Bulma sighed, as she looked after her childhood friend. She could see that he still loved ChiChi and that he was hurt inside. He might be the physically strongest person she knew, but she could see the pain in he held in his heart though his eyes. Those deep black orbs never held back any emotions and after knowing Goku for so long, she knew how to read him. ChiChi had told her, what had happened at her father's house about five years ago, shortly after Gohan's birth and ChiChi had moved into the palace. That a young man had been at her father's house, asking for her. The description the maid, who had answered the door then, had given her fit perfectly to Goku and Bulma had seen ChiChi breaking down. She knew she must've hurt him and she didn't have the chance to tell him what had happened in the time he had been on sea, something that would probably change his life forever.

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Okay, Part 2 of this chapter is in work and will probably be posted on Tuesday, I hope. But please tell me what you think of the first part!

Eternally yours

ChibiChibi