Seven Years Later
Hope can be a wonderful and terrible thing. The rise of the spirit as it feels the elation of finally getting something it has needed or the relief of some terrible event is something that can truly lift someone to a state of near euphoria. But if that hope should be betrayed or let down, then what was euphoria can easily become despair.
No one felt this more keenly than Princess Sasami as the man she had shouted out to, thinking it was Gohan, turned around and looked over to her. She still saw the same features that she had done in the boy from all those years ago but when he looked directly at her, there was nothing to show that he felt anything similar "Gohan?" She asked, her voice much weaker as reality started to hit that it couldn't possibly be Gohan at all.
The young man looked behind him and saw no one else had reacted to Sasami's call in her eyesight. He eventually pointed to himself and looked somewhat confused "Are you talking to me?" He asked politely.
By now, despair had hit Sasami as she realised how stupid this was. Gohan was dead and his body had been disintegrated, why should she honestly believe that he would be walking merrily down the street? Even if he looked so much like him, how could she have been so impulsive as to shout out in the middle of the street? Blinking back tears, she eventually said "N-No... I'm sorry."
Her sadness must have shown as the young man stepped forward, getting through the crowd "Are you alright?" He asked as he was quickly followed by a very irate looking old man.
"She's fine really, no need to worry about it." Washu quickly interjected before tugging at Sasami's arm "Ain't that right Sammy? We've got to get going."
"As do we." The old man said as he tugged on the younger man's arm with something approaching genuine fear "Come along Ephraim, we have more important things to do."
Still trying to find some way to prevent herself from openly crying, Sasami latched onto the one detail she got that grounded all this in reality "Your name's Ephraim?"
Ephraim smiled and nodded, seemingly ignoring the older man's "That's my name." He looked at her and Washu keenly for a moment "And you're Sammy then I take it?"
A violent tug on Sasami's sleeve made her look down to Washu who was more than a little annoyed that they had been put off track "Umm... Yes..." She said before sighing sadly "Look, I'm sorry about that. I... I thought you were someone else."
"Well maybe you should have made sure before making a fool of yourself." The old man snapped "Come along Ephraim, we must not hang around when we have more important things to take care of."
The sheer arrogance of the tone pulled Sasami out of her funk somewhat and Washu gave the man a death glare before barking out "More important things? What exactly? Go and decompose some more?"
Before a reply was forthcoming, Ephraim stepped between everyone, trying to calm them down "Now come on, there's no need for that." He said with worry in his voice before turning to Sasami "Why don't we help you find who you're looking for? Be better with four sets of eyes than two."
Washu and the older man opened their mouths to object strongly but were quickly cut off as Sasami spoke "We're not… looking for him but I'd really like you to walk with us, we desperately need to find a hotel room. You don't mind do you?"
"Of course not!" Ephraim said cheerfully before his companion could object "Grandfather and I were just strolling through the city, we'd be happy to help you." The look Ephraim's grandfather gave him proved how much of a lie that statement was although Sasami ignored it. She oddly felt some comfort from Ephraim that she couldn't quite put her finger on. His bright and cheerful smile put at her ease that reminded her so much of Gohan in his own gentle and sweet personality. His appearance was so much as she'd have thought Gohan would look like as a he matured that it was uncanny, eerie even.
Smiling sweetly as relief and some comfort went through her body; Sasami stepped towards Ephraim and took his arm with her hand as she ignored the glares from Washu and Ephraim's grandfather that Ephraim himself seemed oblivious too "Why don't we get something to eat before looking for more rooms? I feel as if I could do with a break, isn't that right… Washy?"
Washu gave Sasami a death glare at the before grinding her teeth and muttering a dark curse at her "Sure, yeah. Let's go. And maybe we'll actually find something more than aggravation there at least."
To his credit, Ephraim's grandfather ignored the slight and followed closely beside the young man "Just remember what I've said Ephraim." He muttered close to him "Just go along with what they say and I'll explain later."
Sasami just about heard those words and inwardly, a few alarm bells went off in her head at the words. Just what did he mean? She went to ask but Ephraim caught her eye and he smiled, causing her heart to flutter slightly and put her suspicions out of mind for now "So are you from the Moon Kingdom or another world?" He asked politely.
Thinking quickly, Sasami found herself answering "Oh, just tourists from off world who decided to come down for the celebrations. You as well I take it?"
"Oh yes, we're from…"
"Nowhere important." The old man said quickly, interjecting before Ephraim could answer. He walked beside Ephraim closely, perched like a vulture to intervene if he so wished "We're similar to you, just travelling in for the event."
Washu walked up beside Sasami, giving Ephraim's companion an odd look "So what's your name anyway?"
"Dokuta." The man said quickly, coming off as slightly practiced.
"Odd name combination…" Washu muttered before looking at Sasami who herself was staring at Ephraim as the young man walked along with a smile "So de we know where we're going then?"
"I'm sure we'll find somewhere." Sasami commented in an absent minded fashion, still concentrating on Ephraim. Her spirits were still fairly low from having lost her hope of seeing Gohan but Ephraim certainly seemed to be so much like him. He seemed to emanate a spirit of gentleness and warmth that only Gohan had given out. Reality had forced her to realise that Gohan was certainly dead, she knew it truly and it had been wild hope that had made her believe otherwise but for now, she was happy with Ephraim. She looked up at Ephraim as the young man caught her eyes and smiled, something she did in return. Sasami considered that revenge had been something that had consumed her for so long, now it was time for friendship to fill the gap.
XxX
High above the surface of the Moon Kingdom, the HMS Serene hung in space, waiting in impotence. On board, the impatience of Cosmos and Piccolo was near straining point as Cosmos considered the fact that after the evening, there would be only nine days until the Celestial Gala started which was the time he believed that something with Gero would happen. Piccolo's continuing assertion that Gohan had survived and his impatience about getting down to the Moon was starting to grate on Cosmos' nerves.
Currently he was looking over files he could find regarding Dr. Gero once more, trying to find some clue to the person he had been travelling with. Witness accounts from Sulu-Four had said that Gero had lived with a young boy these last seven years when previously he had been completely on his own. He had arrived among the first lot of colonists twenty odd years ago and had kept a deliberately low profile, being a recluse except for the occasions when he went to buy food. It was a mystery as to where this boy had come from… until now that was.
Piece by piece, evidence seemed to link the idea that the boy was indeed Gohan. Locals that Cosmos had his men interview spoke of how the boy had originally been seen around seven years ago, Gero always insisting that he had been his grandson from a previously unknown relation. Such a weak excuse didn't stand against much scrutiny at all, especially in the wake of the recent revelations. Cosmos could see now, more than ever, that something had happened seven years ago that had allowed Gohan to survive… but how? And more to the point, why?
Gero had disappeared over twenty years ago amid rumours of illegal experimentation and other less than savoury acts. No one had really gotten to the bottom of it and it had been forgotten, until now. Cosmos leaned back in his chair and sighed in frustration, every answer they got just led to five more questions. Gero was alive and well but why had he surfaced? Gohan was also alive but how had he survived and who had organised it?
Cosmos started to massage his temples as the questions went through his mind over and over again. Despite Queen Serenity's explicit orders, he started to realise that he would need to find Gero and Gohan before getting any answers at all. The Celestial Gala at least appeared to be the centre point of this appearance although Gero was a man of science and Cosmos couldn't remember Gohan ever having anything to do with magic. They had to be working for someone else, someone who could actually wield and manipulate magic.
But, that itself brought up an entirely new set of problems as there was no one who could manipulate magic on that level aside from Queen Serenity and Princess Serena. Unless there was someone who had been backing Gero for the last twenty years although that was a thought Cosmos didn't really want to consider even as he realised it might the only one that made any sense.
A sudden pounding at the door suddenly brought Cosmos out of his thoughts as he looked up and growled with yet another problem thrust upon him "Now now Piccolo." He called out, not having the patience to deal with the Namek at this point.
Piccolo refused to take no for an answer though as the door was struck time and time again and dents started to appear before eventually a hand burst through and pulled the door apart as it forced its way into the room. Cosmos watched on rather calmly as Piccolo forced his way in before turned and glared at the invading Namek "Something on your mind?" He asked with more than a hint of sarcasm.
Tearing the remains of the door off his arm, Piccolo glared down at the Lieutenant-Colonel and growled softly "When are we going down to the surface?" He demanded.
Cosmos took in Piccolo's mood with some thought. He knew that he wouldn't like the answer that Queen Serenity had given him, a feeling Cosmos had some sympathy with "By the Queen's orders, we are to remain in orbit and send what information we have to aid in their own investigation."
Piccolo's reaction was just as Cosmos had feared as the Namek walked over and slammed his fists down onto his desk, shattering it into pieces as he growled in fury at the reply "Not good enough Cosmos! We should be down there searching for him now! I can find him if I'm given the chance!"
Looking at Piccolo, Cosmos could see the rage and hope driving him on. Gohan had been his only friend and the only person who had shown him a degree of love. Cosmos considered the fact that the isolation Piccolo had put himself under these last seven years had done few favours towards his disposition. Taking a moment to think about his response, Cosmos eventually said "And be blown out of the skies by the defence system on the surface? The Queen is well aware of our position Piccolo. If we try to move now, every ship on the Moon will come down on us and possibly attack, which would put a slight dampener on our plans wouldn't you say?"
A long silence reigned as Piccolo considered these words, his emotions clashing with sheer common sense "Talk to the Queen again; tell her to let us land on the surface."
Once again, Cosmos' eyes froze in hardness as he simply shook his head "That isn't a possibility. Due to… previous actions, the Queen would not welcome me on the same World as she stands upon. We have no choice but to sit, wait and hope that we may reach our objective before disaster strikes on the Moon, or ourselves."
Not liking the answers he had been given, Piccolo stepped back and continued to scowl but had backed down for now "We have to find a way down Cosmos. Something's happening and I don't like. There must be some chink in the security system or hole in the system." Piccolo gave a cynical smirk at that "I seem to remember you being good at that at least."
Cosmos raised an eyebrow at the comment but a moment's thought made him realise that Piccolo was telling the truth "I do have a talent for certain aspects of dodging more official channels I'll admit. And we do need to get down there quickly..." Cosmos paused in thought for a moment before nodding "Very well, I'll see to it that we get down there as soon as possible. Might take a few days and the Queen won't like it but she's not in possession of all the facts." Cosmos looked up into the stern gaze of Piccolo "Is that good enough for you?"
Piccolo nodded in response "I can wait a little longer." He said before turning to leave, stopping at the door as he glanced back towards Cosmos "Only a little longer though." He said as a warning and then walked out of the room, leaving Cosmos to sit in deep thought about his next step.
XxX
Down on the surface of the Moon, an entirely separate conflict was taking place within the mind of Princess Serena. Her mother was sorting out some private business after a call and Darien was putting Rini to bed for her afternoon nap. Leaning out on a balcony that overlooked the entrance of the Palace and out to the city of Lunos itself. Even from here she could see some of the banners and other decorations on the streets and buildings that would be used at the Celestial Gala during the celebrations.
Serena rested her chin onto her hands and looked out over the city. While she would normally be happy at such a celebration, she had the weight of something else on her mind, a reunion of old friends. It had been seven years since all the Princesses of the Confederation of Planets had been brought together. Ever since Gohan's death, they had gone their separate ways, some efforts had been made by some to keep the group together but the bad blood was too strong.
A sigh escaped Serena's lips as she reflected on the group as a while. It had been her actions that had split them into pieces, her selfishness had almost destroyed everything she cared about and was the cause behind the fact that a group she once considered her strongest friends could now barely work up the will to get into the same room as each other. Until now that is.
With the Celestial Gala now approaching, all the Princesses would be back on the Moon, unable to avoid the call of the largest social and magical event of the millennium. For the first time in far too long, they would finally all meet face to face… and Serena was starting to become scared. What could she say to them? She had made less than adequate attempts to get the group back together due to her own remaining feelings of guilt and not wanting a confrontation from those she knew would cut hardest. But with each passing day, Serena knew she had little choice and that she had been ducking the issue for far too long…
"Something bothering you?" A voice asked from behind Serena, making her jump at the sudden interruption before turning around and seeing Darien. He saw her confused expression and smiled "Rini's all tucked up and asleep, thought I'd come and see how you were doing, a lot's been on your mind lately."
Serena nodded quietly; not giving a direct answer and making Darien go on "Of course, if you were to talk about whatever was bothering you, I'm sure someone would be there to listen, someone close to you in fact. Who has taken an oath to be loyal by your side, who's also the father of your child and loves you fiercely." Darien put his fingers to his chin and tapped in a mocking way "Hmm, now who does that description fit exactly?"
"Alright I get the hint!" Serena chided, her lips turning up at the corners slightly at her husband's teasing. She walked up to him and hugged him softly as she spoke "I'll be seeing the others soon, for the first time in years. I don't know what they'll be like. What I'll be like."
Darien returned the hug as Serena spoke, realising her feelings about meeting people who she hadn't exactly parted on the best of terms with. He kissed her reassuringly on the forehead "I'll be there with you Serena. The others will be glad to see you; it's been seven years since you saw them all. Absence makes the heart grow fonder after all."
Serena offered a weak smile at those words "I don't think it works quite like that, not between us." She placed her head on Darien's shoulder as she looked for some comfort from him "It's just that seeing them tomorrow when they come in… I don't know how I'll react after what happened."
Knowing that the events around Gohan's death still haunted Serena, Darien hugged her that much tighter as he placed his head on hers "It'll be fine Serena. Once they see you, they'll remember all the good times. You'll be back to as you were when you were still teenagers." He smiled a little as he tried to ease her feelings "Although if that happens, I'm definitely getting out before you all start causing trouble."
"Hey!" Serena said, batting Darien's arm lightly as she smiled slightly at his joke "I wasn't as bad as that!" She smiled slightly, letting out a pent up breath that she had been carrying "Thank you." She whispered, needing some support for what was going to happen tomorrow "I hope everything goes alright. I think it's time I finally faced them again…"
XxX
Deliberately ignoring someone wasn't always the easiest of tasks when you were forced to walk alongside them in a crowded street. What made the task even harder is when two other people you were walking with tried their best to include you in the conversation and the other person you were deliberately trying to ignore.
All in all, it wasn't the most agreeable of circumstance for Dr. Gero and Washu, both of whom were barely tolerating the other's existence and only did so to avoid making a scene in front of the crowd, both for the same reason of not wanting to be recognised and thrown into a prison cell. Between the two, Sasami and Ephraim walked side by side, having had some lunch (Gero making certain that the boy kept on a strict diet to avoid spending too much money) and now trying to find somewhere for Washu and Sasami to stay.
Looking around to try and find a sign stating spare rooms anywhere, Gero couldn't help but hear some of the conversation between the two younger people "… Cramped but otherwise fine. Hopefully you two will find something a bit bigger." Ephraim said; his eyes constantly on Sasami.
Sasami nodded and Gero couldn't help that her gaze was constantly on his 'grandson', something that he found less than appealing considering the state of their mission "That would be great!" Sasami said, "Though it'd be nice if you could share it with me."
Instantly, Gero and Washu stopped in their tracks as they turned to face Sasami who had suddenly realised what she said and gone a deep red "N-No! I meant that you two stay with me! I mean us!" Sasami cried, getting more flustered by the second as Washu sniggered behind her "A room for all of us! With separate beds of course!"
Ephraim turned his head on his side and gave Sasami a curious look "Are you alright? You seem excited all of a sudden."
Feeling her face go a deep red, Sasami shook it madly to try and blot out the embarrassment "I-I'm fine! Honestly!" She looked towards both Gero and Washu who were giving some amused looks compared to Ephraim's bemusement "L-Let's just look for rooms, alright?" She snapped, hoping to get this all behind her.
"For all of us?" Ephraim asked, still a few paces behind everyone else.
"Yes! I mean no!" Sasami said hurriedly, her face going scarlet as Washu started to grin.
"Are you sure? I wouldn't mind sharing a room with you if you needed the space." Ephraim replied, his expression radiating kindness and an eagerness to help. Washu raised an eyebrow, her thoughts on other such things that the boy might be concentrating on.
Sasami's blush lessened and her expression softened as she considered the offer "Really? You wouldn't mind sharing rooms with us?"
Before Ephraim could answer, Gero quickly interjected himself into the conversation by pointing to a window of a nearby hotel "Oh look, they have spare rooms there. Well it was nice meeting you but we must be off. Come along Ephraim."
The rapid pace of Gero's words and his order to Ephraim made it clear that he wanted to be away and he wanted Ephraim to do the same. Washu simply gave a smirk in reply to Gero's commands and started to head towards the hotel "Come along Sammy, we don't want to keep them hanging around us now do we?"
Sasami looked back to her friend before going back to Ephraim, the gears in her mind turning as she quickly leaned in and whispered something into his ear before moving away quickly "Thanks for your help, both of you." She said before waving and following Washu into the hotel while Gero pulled Ephraim away hurriedly.
"And what was that about?" Gero demanded as soon as he and Ephraim were out of ear shot, suspicious over the Princess's intentions.
Ephraim blushed as paused before he said "O-Oh she was just… Giving me a private thanks for helping her." Ephraim stammered, telling part of the truth.
Gero shrugged, his own thoughts about the motivations of the girl being less than charitable, especially in regards to the company she kept "At least she didn't try to flirt with you. I hope that that will be the last we see of either of those two, our mission cannot be risked at such a critical juncture."
Ephraim said nothing as his thoughts were elsewhere, remembering the last few words Sasami whispered into his ear.
"I'll be here at Sunset tomorrow. I'll wait for you."
Looking down at his grandfather, Ephraim knew that he tended to nap around Sunset at times. Maybe if he pretended to follow the example, he could slip out to meet Sammy. There was something about her that made Ephraim take notice and he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Maybe some investigating would help him settle the strange feeling he got from her…
To be continued…
Shiva – Glad you enjoyed the chapter and hope this one lived up to the excitement.
Egohan – Well the Doctor butted in alright. As for the rest meeting up, only time will tell.
LanceXstorm5 – Yeah, sorry about leaving the fic but some other projects are taking up my time and something had to give way. Hopefully I'll still be able to work along with this.
Beauxmortexx – Thank you for your kind words and hope you continue to enjoy the fic.
Son Gohan – Hope the wait was worth it, thanks for your words.
Omegaru – Gohan's in it for the long haul now, poor devil. Thanks for your words and hope you continue to enjoy.
Omochikaeri – Sorry about the delay and this one, real life gets in the way as ever. Hope you haven't forgotten too much this time round and that you enjoy it still.
Echelon9 – Generally I'm basing this off from what I've read of the anime version of the character, never seen a single copy of the manga (Which is odd considering the popularity of the series) and she does seem a bit doo-lally in whatever she's in. Glad you enjoyed and sorry for the delay.
Well three months instead of ten, something of an improvement I suppose. Sorry about the slip everyone, as ever, other projects and real life took my time away. Hope you enjoyed at least and hope you have a grand holiday season. Please, R&R!
