AN: Here I am again with chapter two, this is more like the beginning of
the actual story' cos the first chapter was a sort of prologue and this is
set like five years after.
Legal Mumbo Jumbo: I don't own either Spirited away or Dragonball z don't
sue me I'm broke
Of Changes New And Old
It has been five years since Chihiro and Gohan met and formed their friendship. There have been many changes since then and now I must begin to categorise them. The most major change is the fact that after Chihiro's foster parents were discovered to be abusing her, Chihiro was adopted by Chichi and is now Chihiro Son. She has made close relationships with all the Z gang, most surprisingly with Vegeta, and the ones she is closest to call her Sen as a token of affection. Goten was born while both Gohan and Chihiro was eleven and is now a hyperactive chibi. Gohan has continued to train in order to remember his father's heritage. All of the z gang knows of Chihiro's history and her time in the spirit world. Despite her new friendships and relationships, Chihiro still misses Haku and often dreams of seeing him again. I leave you now as the gang celebrates Bulma's birthday with a party and get together at Capsule Corporation.
Chihiro sat on the stool in front of her vanity, unhappily surveying her reflection in the sheet of mirrored glass. Although she had grown into a startlingly beautiful young woman, Chihiro still saw herself as the gangly eleven year old she used to be and no amount of compliments from the gang could persuade her that she was anything but. Giving her sleek black hair one last despairing brush, she pulled back into her favourite coiled style, fixing it with the elegant jewelled clip that Bulma had given her for her birthday a few years back. A few rebellious strands fell in front of her eyes but Chihiro neglected to push them back into place, she merely sat contemplating the beautiful silver statuette on her bed side table. The statue was perfect in it's detail, each scale etched in care and love and the most striking thing of all was the pair of perfectly matched emeralds that were fixed into the eye sockets. This statuette was one of Chihiro's most prised possessions and, surprisingly, had been a gift to her from Vegeta on her twelfth birthday. Chihiro could have sat like for eternity, gazing at the miniature dragon in silent stillness. However, the door to her room swung open to reveal the tall form of her handsome adopted brother. Gohan, like she, had matured into a strikingly handsome young man and in her eyes had never looked more so than he did then. He was wearing black jeans that clung to his form without being overly tight, his torso was adorned with a black silk shirt, open at the collar to reveal a glimpse of a tanned, muscled torso and his obsidian eyes twinkled with their customary humour. She had only seen this gaze gone when he was thinking about his dead father or when he was angry. Gohan got angry very infrequently and one of the few times she had seen him get mad enough to go Super outside of sparring was when he found out that Chihiro's former foster parents had been abusing her. Chihiro was drawn from this reverie as Gohan crossed the room in his powerful strides and crouched down to cup her face and look into her eyes. He gently pushed the hair out of her eyes and blotted the tears that had formed there at the thought of Haku. He spoke to her gently, almost in a whisper, 'Hey sis, don't cry, it's gonna be all right. You'll see, you love him too much for it not to be all right. No tears today, not on Bulma's birthday. Here's a deal for ya', smile for Bulma's party and you can beat the shit out of me later, kay?' The last bit was said teasingly, hoping to win a smile. Gohan was in luck; a small smile crossed Chihiro's face, making her appearance all the more striking. She sniffed and dried her eyes, offering her brother another small smile, 'Like I could, I may have trained with Vegeta, but you're way too powerful for small human fry like me to fight with. I might turn you over to Vegeta's mercy though. I'll have to ponder my options carefully.' Chihiro said in a voice of mock consideration. 'Harsh blow my lady,' Gohan said with a mocking bow. 'Now I must escort you to the ball under pain of frying pan.' Both winced at the thought of Chichi's frying pan of death and destruction( and Chihiro got to her feet and picked up the elegantly wrapped parcel from her bed and turned to Gohan. 'Hey, where's the squirt?' She asked, referring to their mischievous younger demon of a brother. 'Last I saw he was under the attack of IT for attempting to steal some of the trifle when he thought 'kaasan wasn't looking.' He winced in sympathy for the beleaguered demi-Saiyan. 'Well then, kind sir, we must rescue our poor sibling from the terrible attacks of the weapon of doom. Lead me to the field of the battle at once.' Chihiro quipped. Gohan eyes twinkled with great amusement as he lead his sister out of her room and towards the main room to rescue their younger brother. As it turned out, Goten was in no need of any form of rescue as he had used the Son Puppy Dog Eyes( and was now sucking on a lollipop he had somehow managed to come by. The two teenagers had entered the room to be laden down with all the parcels, bowls, tubs and other items that were necessary for a party, especially a party where there were four people with Saiyan blood present. After they had attained a striking resemblance to two overloaded donkeys, the teenagers were then assigned a person to carry. Gohan made the mistake then of asking why they didn't just capsulise their baggage, thus making flight easier. 'I'll tell you why mister,' Chichi screeched at him, 'Because this food took a long time to prepare and if it was capsulised then some of it would be ruined.' She turned her icy glare to both teenagers then, 'And if any of this food is any way damaged then neither of you will be training for a month and Gohan will eat the same amount as you do Chihiro, is that quite understood?' They both nodded quickly, these threats being somewhat the equivalent of slow and painful torture as far as they were concerned. Somehow they managed to juggle their many pieces of luggage and the person they had been asked to carry and set off for Capsule corps. The journey was fairly uneventful punctuated only by the brief comment from either the teenagers or Chichi and Goten. 'Have you done your homework young man?' (Chichi) 'Hey, looky, I can see a cloud that looks like mummy's frying pan.' (Goten) 'Goten you're standing on my nose and your feet really stink.' (Chihiro) 'I AM THE GREAT SAIYAMAN' (LOL, just kidding)
***
At long last the party arrived at capsule corps, where Chichi ordered her two pack animals, erm teenagers, to deposit the food she had brought in the kitchen. She then went off to gossip with Bulma at what was happening on the latest soap the two had discovered. Trunks and Goten went off into a corner to discuss their next pranks, involving somehow eating all the food before the boring grown-ups got to it and made them share. Gohan went off to talk with Piccolo about whatever it is you talk about with people who kidnapped you, beat the shit out of you and called it training. Chihiro stood looking a little lost for a moment before she saw Vegeta and went over to talk to him. After a short while, a bell rang somewhere in the labyrinthine chambers of capsule corps, signally a mad rush to the table by the four Saiyans and a more dignified approach by the others. Dinner was a quiet affair, or would have been if it weren't for the gulping and chewing emanating from the Saiyans. Most of the gang ended up eating nothing because of their nausea. The only ones who were capable of eating anything were Bulma, Chichi, Chihiro, who all lived with Saiyans, and Android eighteen, who seemed unperturbed by the eating habits of Saiyans. After every crumb had vanished, mostly into the gaping maws that the saiyans call stomachs, the present giving ceremony began. They all sat in a circle around Bulma, or rather, they all sat in a circle around Bulma, except for Vegeta and Piccolo, who stood out of the circle with their arms crossed. Then they each took it in turn to give Bulma the present they had made or bought her. Yamcha gave her tickets to his next game and a photo he had from way back before Raditz arrived or Gohan was born, a picture taken not long after the Tenkaichi Budokai when Goku defeated Ma Junior, more commonly referred to as Piccolo, in the photo Goku, Yamcha and Bulma were laughing together and this gift brought tears to Bulma's eyes. Master Roshi gave her a very skimpy bikini, which was received amongst general laughter. Tien, Launch and Chaotzu had all got together to buy Bulma a beautiful painting which she had been admiring for ages. Krillen and Eighteen had bought her an exquisite vase, which seemed to change colour in different lights. Dende, who had left Mr. Popo in charge at the lookout so that he could come to the party, gave her a glass ball that seemed to contain the entire universe in it. Piccolo had shown surprising taste in an elegant pair of earrings. Even Vegeta had bought her something, the father of her child had deigned to purchase her an exquisite evening dress and handed her a smaller package which Bulma had privately opened, giggled at quietly and then put in her pocket, mouthing, later, at Vegeta. Bunny Briefs gave her daughter some clothes that Bulma had thanked her for and then placed far to one side and her father gave her something that looked terribly scientific yet gained many thanks from an ecstatic Bulma. Chichi had given her a titanium frying pan and some novels, the titles of which evoked fearful groans from the watching Saiyans. Goten and Trunks had pooled their allowances to purchase a book entitled, 'An Idiots Guide To Cooking' and then run fast in the other direction. Gohan gave Bulma something else that confused all those who weren't Bulma, Gohan and Dr. Briefs. Finally Chihiro gave Bulma her present. It was a perfect bust of Bulma, carved out of sandstone by Chihiro in secret. The level of skill and love in this gift was obvious in the very face of the carving, which had been so carefully crafted. Gasps ran around the circle as Bulma removed this gift from the delicate tissue that surrounded it. There seemed to be life in the beautiful model, that somehow Chihiro had captured the essence of life that made Bulma. If you looked closely it seemed that there was Bulma's laughing twinkle in the carved eyes. Bulma released herself from the haze of delirious appreciation long enough to turn to Chihiro and ask her, 'Sen, how did you make this, it's beautiful? I've never seen anything quite like this before.' Chihiro blushed modestly and answered in her customary alto, 'To tell the truth, I don't quite know, I've always been able to make things like this, I have others that I've made at home, but this one was particularly successful and I thought you would like it.' 'What do you mean you don't know?' Piccolo questioned searchingly, searching Chihiro's face for any signs of deception. 'I mean that it's like I almost go into a trance and when I come out of the trance I look down and I've made one. I've tried to do it when I'm not in the trance and I'm getting better but I do my best work in this trance.' She said quietly. Everyone stared at her like she was a rare flower in a botanical garden. Then Vegeta turned to her and asked in a voice that they had never heard him use before, 'Could you go into this trance state now?' Chihiro looked at him with a strange expression on her face for a few moments and then nodded, 'Sure, Why not?'
***
As Chihiro prepared to enter the Trance State, the rest of the gang gathered in an awed silence. Sen was sitting cross-legged, her back to the house and her eyes closed. Nothing happened for a long moment and Yamcha was starting to get impatient when Chihiro's hand shot out suddenly. It reached for the pile of rocks that Chihiro had earlier placed at her feet. For a brief pause all was still before the hand began to sort through the rocks, choosing a medium sized piece of alabaster. Chihiro's eyes were still closed and the rest of her body was absolutely still. Chihiro's other arm suddenly shot out to pick a tool out of a selection that Bulma had brought from her workshop on request. Skilful hands worked quickly over the lump of rock, chipping, shaping and smoothing at a speed almost too fast to follow. After five minutes Chihiro's eyelids snapped open, revealing only the whites of her eyes. In the split second that followed, Vegeta shot out like an arrow from a bow and caught Chihiro just as she fell into a dead faint in his arms. As she lolled back into the safety of Vegeta's strong arms, Chihiro's hands unfolded, revealing a perfectly carve alabaster statuette. Gohan's arm shot out like a flash to catch the rolling object. He stared at it for along moment before passing it silently to Chichi, who in turn passed it around the circle. Eventually the model came to Bulma. She studied it in wonder. The model was beautiful and entirely unique. It was two faces, somehow moulded back to back into one magnificent bust. One of the faces was known to all those in the circle, it was a perfect likeness of Gohan, down to the very last scar. The other face was known to none of them, though Gohan had a very good guess as to the identity of the mysterious man. His hair was long and very strait and there was a look of great sorrow in the eyes, eyes that seemed to be looking at something nobody else could see. 'Who is it?' Bulma whispered. 'I'm not positive', Gohan murmured 'but I think that it's Haku.' That name was familiar to Bulma and she commented,
'Haku, isn't he the spirit who Chihiro fell in love with in the spirit world all that time ago?' 'Yes, that's the one' Gohan agreed. Suddenly Chihiro stirred and they all fell silent. She sat up and looked around her, as if waking from a long night's sleep. 'What did I make?' She questioned Gohan as soon as she had regained her geographical placing. Wordlessly he handed her the figurine and she stared at it for a long time before tucking it away in a pocket of her jeans. 'Well then,' She commented in a voice of forced cheer, 'Isn't it supposed to be someone's birthday today or what?' And without another word she led the way back to CC to continue the party. It was obvious that Gohan and the others wanted to talk more about the model she had made but it was also very clear that Chihiro had no intention of raising the subject.
***********************
After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, the party got into full swing again, with several groups breaking off from the main party to talk about their area of particular interest. Chihiro and Vegeta were talking about something in a quiet tone that brooked no eavesdropping, Chichi and Bulma had got together to plan Gohan's wedding, the bride had yet to be decided but all the other factors had been planned to the last detail. Master Roshi, Krillen, Yamcha and Dende were playing poker and, though he denied reading his oppositions minds, Dende was winning every round, scooping in vast amounts of money. Tien and Chaotzu had gone off somewhere, saying something about training ( AN: all perverted readers and author break down into mad fits of laughter whilst all you normal people out there gaze down condescendingly.). Launch was sunbathing and occasionally shooting ki blasts at master Roshi when she catches him ogling her. Mrs Briefs was in the kitchen, baking. Trunks and Goten were off somewhere causing mayhem, following their usual fashion. Dr Briefs had gone off to his laboratory to finish doing something and Eighteen and Gohan were sparring.
After Gohan had thoroughly trounced the android again he turned wistfully towards where Chihiro and Vegeta were talking. It was a shame that Chihiro was his sister and he therefore would get shitted later if he interrupted her conversation, because he really needed a good spar and Vegeta was the only one around with a power level even remotely near his. Without turning around, Chihiro knew that Gohan was watching her and Vegeta talk and that he wanted to spar with Vegeta. She smirked evilly, promoting a proud smile from Vegeta and then rounded on his Royal Highness.
'You know what, Veggie-chan, I reckon that Gohan could easily beat you in a spar nowadays.' This comment brought an angry exclamation from Vegeta that couldn't be written down because it is too utterly untranslatable. However, I will give you the signed version
'@*"^%!£~#& 8&*68675$%&7.' The infuriated prince then turned on the confused Son and said in his most terrifying voice, 'Brat, you will spar with me now.' Then flew off. Gohan looked uncertainly at his sister who just smiled sweetly back. Gohan sighed the sigh of the long suffering and turned to her mother and Bulma, 'Now that we've got rid of them shall we bring out the brandy and cigars so that we can make our evil plots properly?' Laughter rang throughout the gardens at this so typically Chihiro request.
******************************
Unaware of the evil plots that the females of their acquaintance were hatching at this very minute, Gohan and Vegeta were flying fast towards the destination Vegeta had decided upon for their 'friendly' spar. When they finally arrived, Gohan looked around him, surveying the terrain closely, and then turned towards Vegeta and said sarcastically,
'Very funny, Veggie-chan, I've always wanted to beat the shit out of you at the first place where I met you. You have an excellent memory for one quite so vertically challenged. Guess you couldn't miss a pilgrimage to the place where you had the shit beaten out of you, it's such a shame that Planet Namek got blown up, we could've made a trip back to the first place where my dad went super saiyan before you.' By the end of Gohan's little speech his little friend was frothing at the mouth and Gohan decided going Super would be a good move right about now. The fight soon began in earnest.
******************************
The three scheming females sat around a table that had been cleared of empty dishes and began plan 'Get Gohan A Girlfriend' or plan GGG. They each had notes on the necessary features of a suitable partner, Gohan's positive and negative attributes and plans of attack, erm fixing up a date. They had each decided to specialise in one subject and had detailed notes, which they now dictated to the other two, at the great amusement of the others. Chichi began with the requirements of the mother of her grandchildren, 'She must be: rich attractive, but less attractive than me an excellent cook able to dominate Gohan initiated into the mysteries of the frying pan fertile active intelligent popular and able to fight.' Bulma turned to Chihiro and whispered under her breath, 'I'm not surprised we haven't found anyone yet with those requirements.' Chihiro desperately struggled to keep a straight face as she recited Gohan's pros and cons, 'Cons: naïve trusting wears quite baggy clothes that hide his attributes half-alien doesn't know his own strength Pros: attractive generous clever strong loving well connected funny artistic diplomatic and devoted'
By the end of this recitation Chihiro was blushing an unusual shade of fuchsia and denying that she had any feelings of that kind for Gohan, who was, as she was quick to point out, her foster brother. Bulma was about to begin her ideas for plans of attack when, quite suddenly; Chihiro collapsed on the floor and started to scream. Her body convulsed, moved by invisible waves of energy that gave her sporadic movements and eerie sense of structure. The whites of her eyes were showing and her screams were the screams of a person who was in true and unendurable pain
(Shall I leave you there?)
(What do you think?)
(Okay put away the nuclear missiles I'm not going to stop now)
Gohan and Vegeta heard Chihiro's screams from the place where they were sparring and their sudden stop meant that the momentum of the punches that they had been about to throw at each other carried them forward to land with their noses pressed into the dirt. After escaping from this embarrassing scenario, they turned as one and flew at Super Speed towards capsule corps and the screams they heard.
When they had arrived at the capsule corps compound Chihiro had stopped screaming and was lying eerily quiet on the hard ground. She was so still that if it weren't for the gentle fluctuations of her heart she could have been dead. The whole area was silent, even Goten and Trunks had quietened down when they found out that 'Big Sister Sen' was screaming and Goten was sniffling into Chichi's skirts. The others eyes were not dry either and 'unfortunate allergies' had acted up as soon as Vegeta had arrived at CC and it seemed that there were small drops of moisture in his eyes.
Suddenly there was a flash of light and a pop and Baba Uranai appeared, looking as sour as ever. As she knew the future, being a 'fortune teller', the whole group turned towards the aggravating woman. Vegeta spoke first, his usual gruff voice also affected by his, erm, allergies.
'What's happening to her woman, tell me know or I'll blast you to the otherworld?' (Vegeta's originality has also been affected by these terrible allergies).
The old crone cackled and said simply,
'The girl is gaining her true form.' As if it were the most obvious thing in the universe to be happening, because honestly how many days go by without one of your close friends going into a fit and gaining her 'true form'.
Vegeta growled low in his smirk and sent a stare at the old woman that had been known to make Yamcha piss himself, not that that was hard or anything.
'What do you mean by that ridiculous statement, you crone?' he snarled.
'What I mean is,' said Baba in a tone you might use when talking to a very young retarded child, 'That Chihiro has finally come to the age when she shall have fulfilled the prophecy and can gain her rightful body and it's powers.'
This time it was Bulma who pounced on the fortune-teller with another question.
'What do you mean, the prophecy?' She questioned. The old hag smirked and said in an all too satisfied voice,
'Well I thought you would have known. But... if you don't then I will recite it.
Born in mystery Child of night Cast into the human realm. Healer Lover With parents but born of another. Live in this realm she will Until the time comes for her to return Unknowing, in human guise She will return to her home. Her people will not know her. Love she will find there Still in her mortal raiment she will fly. Dragonback, salvation she will bring. Love will find her but she will be separated For fate has more in store for her than this.
Lonely, Sad and abused To the mortal plane she will return. To find a child Alone as she And bring comfort to the mourners. Five years will pass. Five years of peace. 'Till strange talents shall be unveiled. Then to her real form she will be given And return to the plane of her existence she will. Spirit of the moon.
This is the prophecy to which I was referring. It is about Chihiro, of course.'
Gohan scraped his mouth off of the ground to say sarcastically,
'OF Course, it is so obvious that that refers to Sen.' Unfortunately for our young spirit, Chichi heard this comment and proceeded to bring the frying pan of doom and destruction( out of the pocket where she had capsulised it and whacked him soundly over the head with it. She had opened her mouth and was about to yell at Gohan to remind herself that she was still alive and still had the power of terror over the greatest warriors on the planet and possibly in the universe. Just then, they heard a low moan from behind them and turned around just in time to see Chihiro's eyes flicker open.
Oooooooooooooooooooh a cliff-hanger
Shall I leave you there perchance?
If you ask nicely you can have some more
Look, holding nuclear weapons to my head is not asking nicely
Fine I'll write some more anyway
Goddammed terrorists
Humph
Chihiro sat up slowly, looking around at the astounded company. Her throat was dry and the sun hurt her eyes. This was all she knew about what had happened to her. The others were staring at her in astonishment, she did not know why, all she wanted was to go somewhere dark and have a tall drink, and maybe eat a roasted newt. The others knew why, they were staring at her pure white skin and the shimmering black hair that had grown to fall in braids down to her waist. She stood and walked into capsule corps, heading for the kitchen to get a very cold drink.
After Chihiro had drunk about half of the water in Capsule corps, she sat down in one of the many sitting rooms, after drawing the blinds and turning off as many of the lights as possible. She then turned to her gob smacked friends and said in a voice that was like the sound of bells,
'Why are you all staring at me like that?' Wordlessly, Gohan passed his adoptive sister a mirror that rested on one of the side tables and Chihiro inspected her reflection in it. She then turned to Trunks and Goten and said in a voice that made Vegeta proud some where in his heart,
'Which of you two brats planned this ridiculous trick?'
The two Chibis shook their heads violently, fearing the wrath that seemed to be leaking from Chihiro as she spoke. It was odd how her voice could sound dangerous even after this transformation to such unnatural beauty. Then, quite unexpectedly for Chihiro, Baba spoke up,
'The young ones did nothing, my dear, you have achieved your true form as a spirit of the moon. It is time for you to return home.'
AN: Ooh looky, cliffhanger exremey. Please send in many reveiws. Thanks to Sophie for your encouragement. It was much appreciated. Next chapter will hopefully be up by the end of the weekend but I have loads of schoolwork at the mo'. Four thousand words, I feel so proud.
Of Changes New And Old
It has been five years since Chihiro and Gohan met and formed their friendship. There have been many changes since then and now I must begin to categorise them. The most major change is the fact that after Chihiro's foster parents were discovered to be abusing her, Chihiro was adopted by Chichi and is now Chihiro Son. She has made close relationships with all the Z gang, most surprisingly with Vegeta, and the ones she is closest to call her Sen as a token of affection. Goten was born while both Gohan and Chihiro was eleven and is now a hyperactive chibi. Gohan has continued to train in order to remember his father's heritage. All of the z gang knows of Chihiro's history and her time in the spirit world. Despite her new friendships and relationships, Chihiro still misses Haku and often dreams of seeing him again. I leave you now as the gang celebrates Bulma's birthday with a party and get together at Capsule Corporation.
Chihiro sat on the stool in front of her vanity, unhappily surveying her reflection in the sheet of mirrored glass. Although she had grown into a startlingly beautiful young woman, Chihiro still saw herself as the gangly eleven year old she used to be and no amount of compliments from the gang could persuade her that she was anything but. Giving her sleek black hair one last despairing brush, she pulled back into her favourite coiled style, fixing it with the elegant jewelled clip that Bulma had given her for her birthday a few years back. A few rebellious strands fell in front of her eyes but Chihiro neglected to push them back into place, she merely sat contemplating the beautiful silver statuette on her bed side table. The statue was perfect in it's detail, each scale etched in care and love and the most striking thing of all was the pair of perfectly matched emeralds that were fixed into the eye sockets. This statuette was one of Chihiro's most prised possessions and, surprisingly, had been a gift to her from Vegeta on her twelfth birthday. Chihiro could have sat like for eternity, gazing at the miniature dragon in silent stillness. However, the door to her room swung open to reveal the tall form of her handsome adopted brother. Gohan, like she, had matured into a strikingly handsome young man and in her eyes had never looked more so than he did then. He was wearing black jeans that clung to his form without being overly tight, his torso was adorned with a black silk shirt, open at the collar to reveal a glimpse of a tanned, muscled torso and his obsidian eyes twinkled with their customary humour. She had only seen this gaze gone when he was thinking about his dead father or when he was angry. Gohan got angry very infrequently and one of the few times she had seen him get mad enough to go Super outside of sparring was when he found out that Chihiro's former foster parents had been abusing her. Chihiro was drawn from this reverie as Gohan crossed the room in his powerful strides and crouched down to cup her face and look into her eyes. He gently pushed the hair out of her eyes and blotted the tears that had formed there at the thought of Haku. He spoke to her gently, almost in a whisper, 'Hey sis, don't cry, it's gonna be all right. You'll see, you love him too much for it not to be all right. No tears today, not on Bulma's birthday. Here's a deal for ya', smile for Bulma's party and you can beat the shit out of me later, kay?' The last bit was said teasingly, hoping to win a smile. Gohan was in luck; a small smile crossed Chihiro's face, making her appearance all the more striking. She sniffed and dried her eyes, offering her brother another small smile, 'Like I could, I may have trained with Vegeta, but you're way too powerful for small human fry like me to fight with. I might turn you over to Vegeta's mercy though. I'll have to ponder my options carefully.' Chihiro said in a voice of mock consideration. 'Harsh blow my lady,' Gohan said with a mocking bow. 'Now I must escort you to the ball under pain of frying pan.' Both winced at the thought of Chichi's frying pan of death and destruction( and Chihiro got to her feet and picked up the elegantly wrapped parcel from her bed and turned to Gohan. 'Hey, where's the squirt?' She asked, referring to their mischievous younger demon of a brother. 'Last I saw he was under the attack of IT for attempting to steal some of the trifle when he thought 'kaasan wasn't looking.' He winced in sympathy for the beleaguered demi-Saiyan. 'Well then, kind sir, we must rescue our poor sibling from the terrible attacks of the weapon of doom. Lead me to the field of the battle at once.' Chihiro quipped. Gohan eyes twinkled with great amusement as he lead his sister out of her room and towards the main room to rescue their younger brother. As it turned out, Goten was in no need of any form of rescue as he had used the Son Puppy Dog Eyes( and was now sucking on a lollipop he had somehow managed to come by. The two teenagers had entered the room to be laden down with all the parcels, bowls, tubs and other items that were necessary for a party, especially a party where there were four people with Saiyan blood present. After they had attained a striking resemblance to two overloaded donkeys, the teenagers were then assigned a person to carry. Gohan made the mistake then of asking why they didn't just capsulise their baggage, thus making flight easier. 'I'll tell you why mister,' Chichi screeched at him, 'Because this food took a long time to prepare and if it was capsulised then some of it would be ruined.' She turned her icy glare to both teenagers then, 'And if any of this food is any way damaged then neither of you will be training for a month and Gohan will eat the same amount as you do Chihiro, is that quite understood?' They both nodded quickly, these threats being somewhat the equivalent of slow and painful torture as far as they were concerned. Somehow they managed to juggle their many pieces of luggage and the person they had been asked to carry and set off for Capsule corps. The journey was fairly uneventful punctuated only by the brief comment from either the teenagers or Chichi and Goten. 'Have you done your homework young man?' (Chichi) 'Hey, looky, I can see a cloud that looks like mummy's frying pan.' (Goten) 'Goten you're standing on my nose and your feet really stink.' (Chihiro) 'I AM THE GREAT SAIYAMAN' (LOL, just kidding)
***
At long last the party arrived at capsule corps, where Chichi ordered her two pack animals, erm teenagers, to deposit the food she had brought in the kitchen. She then went off to gossip with Bulma at what was happening on the latest soap the two had discovered. Trunks and Goten went off into a corner to discuss their next pranks, involving somehow eating all the food before the boring grown-ups got to it and made them share. Gohan went off to talk with Piccolo about whatever it is you talk about with people who kidnapped you, beat the shit out of you and called it training. Chihiro stood looking a little lost for a moment before she saw Vegeta and went over to talk to him. After a short while, a bell rang somewhere in the labyrinthine chambers of capsule corps, signally a mad rush to the table by the four Saiyans and a more dignified approach by the others. Dinner was a quiet affair, or would have been if it weren't for the gulping and chewing emanating from the Saiyans. Most of the gang ended up eating nothing because of their nausea. The only ones who were capable of eating anything were Bulma, Chichi, Chihiro, who all lived with Saiyans, and Android eighteen, who seemed unperturbed by the eating habits of Saiyans. After every crumb had vanished, mostly into the gaping maws that the saiyans call stomachs, the present giving ceremony began. They all sat in a circle around Bulma, or rather, they all sat in a circle around Bulma, except for Vegeta and Piccolo, who stood out of the circle with their arms crossed. Then they each took it in turn to give Bulma the present they had made or bought her. Yamcha gave her tickets to his next game and a photo he had from way back before Raditz arrived or Gohan was born, a picture taken not long after the Tenkaichi Budokai when Goku defeated Ma Junior, more commonly referred to as Piccolo, in the photo Goku, Yamcha and Bulma were laughing together and this gift brought tears to Bulma's eyes. Master Roshi gave her a very skimpy bikini, which was received amongst general laughter. Tien, Launch and Chaotzu had all got together to buy Bulma a beautiful painting which she had been admiring for ages. Krillen and Eighteen had bought her an exquisite vase, which seemed to change colour in different lights. Dende, who had left Mr. Popo in charge at the lookout so that he could come to the party, gave her a glass ball that seemed to contain the entire universe in it. Piccolo had shown surprising taste in an elegant pair of earrings. Even Vegeta had bought her something, the father of her child had deigned to purchase her an exquisite evening dress and handed her a smaller package which Bulma had privately opened, giggled at quietly and then put in her pocket, mouthing, later, at Vegeta. Bunny Briefs gave her daughter some clothes that Bulma had thanked her for and then placed far to one side and her father gave her something that looked terribly scientific yet gained many thanks from an ecstatic Bulma. Chichi had given her a titanium frying pan and some novels, the titles of which evoked fearful groans from the watching Saiyans. Goten and Trunks had pooled their allowances to purchase a book entitled, 'An Idiots Guide To Cooking' and then run fast in the other direction. Gohan gave Bulma something else that confused all those who weren't Bulma, Gohan and Dr. Briefs. Finally Chihiro gave Bulma her present. It was a perfect bust of Bulma, carved out of sandstone by Chihiro in secret. The level of skill and love in this gift was obvious in the very face of the carving, which had been so carefully crafted. Gasps ran around the circle as Bulma removed this gift from the delicate tissue that surrounded it. There seemed to be life in the beautiful model, that somehow Chihiro had captured the essence of life that made Bulma. If you looked closely it seemed that there was Bulma's laughing twinkle in the carved eyes. Bulma released herself from the haze of delirious appreciation long enough to turn to Chihiro and ask her, 'Sen, how did you make this, it's beautiful? I've never seen anything quite like this before.' Chihiro blushed modestly and answered in her customary alto, 'To tell the truth, I don't quite know, I've always been able to make things like this, I have others that I've made at home, but this one was particularly successful and I thought you would like it.' 'What do you mean you don't know?' Piccolo questioned searchingly, searching Chihiro's face for any signs of deception. 'I mean that it's like I almost go into a trance and when I come out of the trance I look down and I've made one. I've tried to do it when I'm not in the trance and I'm getting better but I do my best work in this trance.' She said quietly. Everyone stared at her like she was a rare flower in a botanical garden. Then Vegeta turned to her and asked in a voice that they had never heard him use before, 'Could you go into this trance state now?' Chihiro looked at him with a strange expression on her face for a few moments and then nodded, 'Sure, Why not?'
***
As Chihiro prepared to enter the Trance State, the rest of the gang gathered in an awed silence. Sen was sitting cross-legged, her back to the house and her eyes closed. Nothing happened for a long moment and Yamcha was starting to get impatient when Chihiro's hand shot out suddenly. It reached for the pile of rocks that Chihiro had earlier placed at her feet. For a brief pause all was still before the hand began to sort through the rocks, choosing a medium sized piece of alabaster. Chihiro's eyes were still closed and the rest of her body was absolutely still. Chihiro's other arm suddenly shot out to pick a tool out of a selection that Bulma had brought from her workshop on request. Skilful hands worked quickly over the lump of rock, chipping, shaping and smoothing at a speed almost too fast to follow. After five minutes Chihiro's eyelids snapped open, revealing only the whites of her eyes. In the split second that followed, Vegeta shot out like an arrow from a bow and caught Chihiro just as she fell into a dead faint in his arms. As she lolled back into the safety of Vegeta's strong arms, Chihiro's hands unfolded, revealing a perfectly carve alabaster statuette. Gohan's arm shot out like a flash to catch the rolling object. He stared at it for along moment before passing it silently to Chichi, who in turn passed it around the circle. Eventually the model came to Bulma. She studied it in wonder. The model was beautiful and entirely unique. It was two faces, somehow moulded back to back into one magnificent bust. One of the faces was known to all those in the circle, it was a perfect likeness of Gohan, down to the very last scar. The other face was known to none of them, though Gohan had a very good guess as to the identity of the mysterious man. His hair was long and very strait and there was a look of great sorrow in the eyes, eyes that seemed to be looking at something nobody else could see. 'Who is it?' Bulma whispered. 'I'm not positive', Gohan murmured 'but I think that it's Haku.' That name was familiar to Bulma and she commented,
'Haku, isn't he the spirit who Chihiro fell in love with in the spirit world all that time ago?' 'Yes, that's the one' Gohan agreed. Suddenly Chihiro stirred and they all fell silent. She sat up and looked around her, as if waking from a long night's sleep. 'What did I make?' She questioned Gohan as soon as she had regained her geographical placing. Wordlessly he handed her the figurine and she stared at it for a long time before tucking it away in a pocket of her jeans. 'Well then,' She commented in a voice of forced cheer, 'Isn't it supposed to be someone's birthday today or what?' And without another word she led the way back to CC to continue the party. It was obvious that Gohan and the others wanted to talk more about the model she had made but it was also very clear that Chihiro had no intention of raising the subject.
***********************
After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, the party got into full swing again, with several groups breaking off from the main party to talk about their area of particular interest. Chihiro and Vegeta were talking about something in a quiet tone that brooked no eavesdropping, Chichi and Bulma had got together to plan Gohan's wedding, the bride had yet to be decided but all the other factors had been planned to the last detail. Master Roshi, Krillen, Yamcha and Dende were playing poker and, though he denied reading his oppositions minds, Dende was winning every round, scooping in vast amounts of money. Tien and Chaotzu had gone off somewhere, saying something about training ( AN: all perverted readers and author break down into mad fits of laughter whilst all you normal people out there gaze down condescendingly.). Launch was sunbathing and occasionally shooting ki blasts at master Roshi when she catches him ogling her. Mrs Briefs was in the kitchen, baking. Trunks and Goten were off somewhere causing mayhem, following their usual fashion. Dr Briefs had gone off to his laboratory to finish doing something and Eighteen and Gohan were sparring.
After Gohan had thoroughly trounced the android again he turned wistfully towards where Chihiro and Vegeta were talking. It was a shame that Chihiro was his sister and he therefore would get shitted later if he interrupted her conversation, because he really needed a good spar and Vegeta was the only one around with a power level even remotely near his. Without turning around, Chihiro knew that Gohan was watching her and Vegeta talk and that he wanted to spar with Vegeta. She smirked evilly, promoting a proud smile from Vegeta and then rounded on his Royal Highness.
'You know what, Veggie-chan, I reckon that Gohan could easily beat you in a spar nowadays.' This comment brought an angry exclamation from Vegeta that couldn't be written down because it is too utterly untranslatable. However, I will give you the signed version
'@*"^%!£~#& 8&*68675$%&7.' The infuriated prince then turned on the confused Son and said in his most terrifying voice, 'Brat, you will spar with me now.' Then flew off. Gohan looked uncertainly at his sister who just smiled sweetly back. Gohan sighed the sigh of the long suffering and turned to her mother and Bulma, 'Now that we've got rid of them shall we bring out the brandy and cigars so that we can make our evil plots properly?' Laughter rang throughout the gardens at this so typically Chihiro request.
******************************
Unaware of the evil plots that the females of their acquaintance were hatching at this very minute, Gohan and Vegeta were flying fast towards the destination Vegeta had decided upon for their 'friendly' spar. When they finally arrived, Gohan looked around him, surveying the terrain closely, and then turned towards Vegeta and said sarcastically,
'Very funny, Veggie-chan, I've always wanted to beat the shit out of you at the first place where I met you. You have an excellent memory for one quite so vertically challenged. Guess you couldn't miss a pilgrimage to the place where you had the shit beaten out of you, it's such a shame that Planet Namek got blown up, we could've made a trip back to the first place where my dad went super saiyan before you.' By the end of Gohan's little speech his little friend was frothing at the mouth and Gohan decided going Super would be a good move right about now. The fight soon began in earnest.
******************************
The three scheming females sat around a table that had been cleared of empty dishes and began plan 'Get Gohan A Girlfriend' or plan GGG. They each had notes on the necessary features of a suitable partner, Gohan's positive and negative attributes and plans of attack, erm fixing up a date. They had each decided to specialise in one subject and had detailed notes, which they now dictated to the other two, at the great amusement of the others. Chichi began with the requirements of the mother of her grandchildren, 'She must be: rich attractive, but less attractive than me an excellent cook able to dominate Gohan initiated into the mysteries of the frying pan fertile active intelligent popular and able to fight.' Bulma turned to Chihiro and whispered under her breath, 'I'm not surprised we haven't found anyone yet with those requirements.' Chihiro desperately struggled to keep a straight face as she recited Gohan's pros and cons, 'Cons: naïve trusting wears quite baggy clothes that hide his attributes half-alien doesn't know his own strength Pros: attractive generous clever strong loving well connected funny artistic diplomatic and devoted'
By the end of this recitation Chihiro was blushing an unusual shade of fuchsia and denying that she had any feelings of that kind for Gohan, who was, as she was quick to point out, her foster brother. Bulma was about to begin her ideas for plans of attack when, quite suddenly; Chihiro collapsed on the floor and started to scream. Her body convulsed, moved by invisible waves of energy that gave her sporadic movements and eerie sense of structure. The whites of her eyes were showing and her screams were the screams of a person who was in true and unendurable pain
(Shall I leave you there?)
(What do you think?)
(Okay put away the nuclear missiles I'm not going to stop now)
Gohan and Vegeta heard Chihiro's screams from the place where they were sparring and their sudden stop meant that the momentum of the punches that they had been about to throw at each other carried them forward to land with their noses pressed into the dirt. After escaping from this embarrassing scenario, they turned as one and flew at Super Speed towards capsule corps and the screams they heard.
When they had arrived at the capsule corps compound Chihiro had stopped screaming and was lying eerily quiet on the hard ground. She was so still that if it weren't for the gentle fluctuations of her heart she could have been dead. The whole area was silent, even Goten and Trunks had quietened down when they found out that 'Big Sister Sen' was screaming and Goten was sniffling into Chichi's skirts. The others eyes were not dry either and 'unfortunate allergies' had acted up as soon as Vegeta had arrived at CC and it seemed that there were small drops of moisture in his eyes.
Suddenly there was a flash of light and a pop and Baba Uranai appeared, looking as sour as ever. As she knew the future, being a 'fortune teller', the whole group turned towards the aggravating woman. Vegeta spoke first, his usual gruff voice also affected by his, erm, allergies.
'What's happening to her woman, tell me know or I'll blast you to the otherworld?' (Vegeta's originality has also been affected by these terrible allergies).
The old crone cackled and said simply,
'The girl is gaining her true form.' As if it were the most obvious thing in the universe to be happening, because honestly how many days go by without one of your close friends going into a fit and gaining her 'true form'.
Vegeta growled low in his smirk and sent a stare at the old woman that had been known to make Yamcha piss himself, not that that was hard or anything.
'What do you mean by that ridiculous statement, you crone?' he snarled.
'What I mean is,' said Baba in a tone you might use when talking to a very young retarded child, 'That Chihiro has finally come to the age when she shall have fulfilled the prophecy and can gain her rightful body and it's powers.'
This time it was Bulma who pounced on the fortune-teller with another question.
'What do you mean, the prophecy?' She questioned. The old hag smirked and said in an all too satisfied voice,
'Well I thought you would have known. But... if you don't then I will recite it.
Born in mystery Child of night Cast into the human realm. Healer Lover With parents but born of another. Live in this realm she will Until the time comes for her to return Unknowing, in human guise She will return to her home. Her people will not know her. Love she will find there Still in her mortal raiment she will fly. Dragonback, salvation she will bring. Love will find her but she will be separated For fate has more in store for her than this.
Lonely, Sad and abused To the mortal plane she will return. To find a child Alone as she And bring comfort to the mourners. Five years will pass. Five years of peace. 'Till strange talents shall be unveiled. Then to her real form she will be given And return to the plane of her existence she will. Spirit of the moon.
This is the prophecy to which I was referring. It is about Chihiro, of course.'
Gohan scraped his mouth off of the ground to say sarcastically,
'OF Course, it is so obvious that that refers to Sen.' Unfortunately for our young spirit, Chichi heard this comment and proceeded to bring the frying pan of doom and destruction( out of the pocket where she had capsulised it and whacked him soundly over the head with it. She had opened her mouth and was about to yell at Gohan to remind herself that she was still alive and still had the power of terror over the greatest warriors on the planet and possibly in the universe. Just then, they heard a low moan from behind them and turned around just in time to see Chihiro's eyes flicker open.
Oooooooooooooooooooh a cliff-hanger
Shall I leave you there perchance?
If you ask nicely you can have some more
Look, holding nuclear weapons to my head is not asking nicely
Fine I'll write some more anyway
Goddammed terrorists
Humph
Chihiro sat up slowly, looking around at the astounded company. Her throat was dry and the sun hurt her eyes. This was all she knew about what had happened to her. The others were staring at her in astonishment, she did not know why, all she wanted was to go somewhere dark and have a tall drink, and maybe eat a roasted newt. The others knew why, they were staring at her pure white skin and the shimmering black hair that had grown to fall in braids down to her waist. She stood and walked into capsule corps, heading for the kitchen to get a very cold drink.
After Chihiro had drunk about half of the water in Capsule corps, she sat down in one of the many sitting rooms, after drawing the blinds and turning off as many of the lights as possible. She then turned to her gob smacked friends and said in a voice that was like the sound of bells,
'Why are you all staring at me like that?' Wordlessly, Gohan passed his adoptive sister a mirror that rested on one of the side tables and Chihiro inspected her reflection in it. She then turned to Trunks and Goten and said in a voice that made Vegeta proud some where in his heart,
'Which of you two brats planned this ridiculous trick?'
The two Chibis shook their heads violently, fearing the wrath that seemed to be leaking from Chihiro as she spoke. It was odd how her voice could sound dangerous even after this transformation to such unnatural beauty. Then, quite unexpectedly for Chihiro, Baba spoke up,
'The young ones did nothing, my dear, you have achieved your true form as a spirit of the moon. It is time for you to return home.'
AN: Ooh looky, cliffhanger exremey. Please send in many reveiws. Thanks to Sophie for your encouragement. It was much appreciated. Next chapter will hopefully be up by the end of the weekend but I have loads of schoolwork at the mo'. Four thousand words, I feel so proud.