All right, I'm glad you guys like this story so far. Thanks for the reviews. ^_^

To Jessica C: Yes, this has some of OOC-ness, but not so much where it'll annoy anyone, hopefully. There is such a thing as ki, but it won't be heavily emphasized like in the show. I've also changed some things, and like Nitte iz said, Goku was helpless for once. He's still strong, but he's not invincible. It's not going to be like the series very much. I've changed things for a little bit... And if all goes well, I should update every week.

Of Two Hearts

Chapter 2: Chi-Chi's Ambition

A warm, comforting glow from the morning sun cast over the Ox-King's kingdom, coating the land and the inhabitants on it. Rays of dawn penetrated through the silk curtains of a balcony window, and kissed the face of a young girl in bed.

The warmth of the light awoke her; her eyelids fluttered between open and closed, and they were evidently moist. Fully awake, Chi-Chi sat up and brought her hand to her face. Wetness.

She brought her hand back to observe; crystal tears glittered in the sunlight as they ran down from her fingertips. She had been crying in her sleep.

Chi-Chi wiped it away on her bed sheets. Well, it was no wonder. Yesterday's events were despicable. She couldn't believe how determined her father was to keep her away from Goku. It wasn't fair.

But it was fated. 'All young girls, but especially the princess, must grow up to become a good wife and mother'. It was just set that way. But so many times did Chi-Chi secretly reject this principle.

Why should I listen to what some men think of a woman's role? I should make my own decisions, she had thought many times. Yet now, she didn't mind it because she would've been able to do this for Goku…

Key word: would've

Chi-Chi grimaced. Yes, it couldn't happen with Goku now. The Ox-King forbade any relations to come of them, and told Chi-Chi that he already had a prince for her to marry. It's over, Chi-Chi thought, extremely saddened. I'll become nothing but a worthless creature to my fiancé. I see what will come of it. He will expect me to be with child very soon.

What was so wrong with marrying Goku? Why would Chi-Chi become one with a stranger, and express love to him if she didn't even know him at all? Though it almost wholly applied to Goku as well, it didn't seem so…

But what could change now? Goku was a slave.

A stab of anger reached Chi-Chi. It wasn't fair! She had wept bitterly, almost wailing aloud, having learned that her marriage to Goku was no more. What hurt even more was those atrocious words her father said to her.

"Some good has come of this, Daughter. You've brought home a good slave. I thank you."

No! She didn't do this! He made it seem like she had brought Goku for that very purpose. It wasn't true! Yet… it was. Many attempts to shut those words out of her head failed, and she had been wounded repeatedly.

She had brought Goku home, and now he's in the lowest position. If it weren't for her…

Chi-Chi shook her head violently, trying to block out the voice again. Guilt and sorrow had been her companions since yesterday afternoon, and now they were trying to be by her side again. It couldn't be.

Chi-Chi slid out of bed and looked out from her balcony. It was still dark, and only a portion of sunlight lit the dark lands. The whole sun would be in the sky soon. She had to hurry.

***

Chi-Chi placed the hood of her cloak over her head as she tiptoed down the hallway. This was a good time to escape to the Slave Headquarters. It was a little past dawn, many people were still asleep, and the guards were protecting the gate opposite to the Slave Headquarters.

The thick carpet of the hallways softened Chi-Chi's steps, but she was still cautious. The open view of the outdoors was getting closer in sight.

"Princess?"

Uh-oh.

Chi-Chi spun around slowly at the voice. Her heart's speed decreased as she only saw the small silhouette of a child. "Talim," she whispered with relief, and waited for the child to come to her. (1)

Talim stood next to Chi-Chi, her curious brown eyes gazing into hers. "Where are you headed off to?" She blinked, wondering what was going on. Chi-Chi didn't struggle for an answer.

She knew Talim since her birth, and though she was the shogun's daughter, she still spent large amounts of time with Chi-Chi. Talim was a cute little girl, about aged seven, and was perfecting her skills of being a messenger girl. She had permission to pursue such a career because of her father's positioning. (2)

"You needn't worry, Talim," Chi-Chi whispered. "I'm only going to watch the sun rise." Talim believed the story was true, since it was known for Chi-Chi to watch the sun rise on several days. Of course, at the time, she had been thinking of Goku and sometimes not really watching the sun rise for the heck of it.

"All right," Talim answered. "Later on, though, we must complete our studies. I wish for us to do them together, Princess."

Chi-Chi smiled and placed a reassuring hand on Talim's head. "You have my word."

That was close. Once again, an obstacle got in Chi-Chi's way. She had made it outside this time, but when she saw a shadow intertwine with hers, she nearly flinched. Her eyes cast up.

A samurai!

Shoot, Chi-Chi thought. She had forgotten the samurai that serve as guards switch positioning, and the cycle of protection occurred every other week. However, she wasn't completely worried. She knew this samurai very well.

The samurai was holding his katana in front of him, as he looked ahead. He had coruscating black hair, and shared the same warm brown eyes as his sister, Talim. He was well built and was the talk of many peasant girls.

"Wakaru," Chi-Chi greeted.

Wakaru looked down at her. "Where are you going without an escort, Princess?"

Curses again.

Chi-Chi sat and leaned her back against the smooth, cobblestone wall, saying nothing to Wakaru. However, he smiled. "You always come to watch the sun rise out here, because the dawn's breeze is soothing, but you know the view from your bedchamber is prettier, my lady."

Chi-Chi would've usually returned a friendly conversation, but her mind was too occupied with Goku. She looked up at Wakaru, and he frowned at the worry in her eyes. The good thing about him was that though he took his duty as a guard seriously, he was also a good friend.

"What ails you?" he asked.

Chi-Chi thought carefully. She wanted to tell him about what happened yesterday, but she had to disguise her love for Goku in order not to construct chaos. She started slowly, "Weren't you there when the new slave arrived?"

"New slave?" Wakaru repeated, and shook his head.

Chi-Chi sighed. "You haven't received word about Son Goku?"

Wakaru nodded. "I remember now. Yes. What about him?"

Chi-Chi groaned. "Don't you see it? Because of me, he's bound to my father. I've brought him into slavery, and it's not fair! I'm afraid of a life sentence for him, but even worse, I fear he hates me for bringing this upon him. I don't want him to think ill of me."

Wakaru looked down thoughtfully. "Hmmm… I sympathize, my lady, but there's nothing you can do."

"Yes, I can!" Chi-Chi immediately protested. "I'll find a way, even if it costs me."

Wakaru seemed surprised at her protest, and at her determined ways. "But, my lady… May I remind you of the King's wrath? I know he wouldn't lay a hand on you, but his anger is something to fear. In addition, worse things can come about, including putting Goku's life at risk."

He sighed a crestfallen sigh. "If only he weren't a slave."

It suddenly came to Chi-Chi, at that very instant.

"If only he weren't a slave…"

A brilliant idea came to Chi-Chi, and she stood to her feet, a hint of a smile at her lips. She turned and retreated, leaving a suspicious Wakaru behind.

***

It was near midday when Chi-Chi set out a lunch to share with her father. As soon as she prepared the wine for the Ox-King, she sat with him and said grace. As the Ox-King began to eat, he looked at Chi-Chi in bewilderment. Why did she seem so calm?

"So, Daughter, what is it that you wish to speak to me of?" he asked, chewing on a turkey leg.

Chi-Chi glanced at her father, and noticed he seemed curious. Perfect. "Well, I had been thinking about this, and I realized it had been so long…"

She took a sip of her water, and watched the Ox-King smile out of the corner of her eyes. "That you've had no one, and no husband? I'm glad you see it this way. But do not fret. You will be lonesome no longer."

Chi-Chi frowned. "That wasn't it."

She turned around in her seat to see the large, grassy field outside. The luncheon was held in a high courtroom, where a beautiful view of the kingdom was present.

"That field has been bare for quite some time," Chi-Chi noted.

Ox-King looked at the field as well. "What do you mean? I have gardeners attend to it daily to make sure the grass stays healthy for the cattle."

Chi-Chi shook her head, and took a bite of some garlic bread. "No, Otousan… Do you not remember what this field was used for previously? When was the last time you saw action on it?"

Knowing her father was a man of battles, Chi-Chi hoped to see if he would recognize the talk of training soldiers. The Ox-King rubbed his beard thoughtfully, where breadcrumbs were caught.

"You're right. It's been a long time since I've seen some entertainment. Our last jester was executed."

Chi-Chi felt a bead of sweat travel down, as she smiled nervously. "Yes… I was reminding you about the annual tournaments you held. I knew why you had stopped those, but why not hold one this year?"

The Ox-King smiled widely, delighted. "Oh! I had nearly forgotten! Yes, it's been ages since I last held one! A fight would be very nice entertainment."

Suddenly, he frowned. "Wait… Your wedding is soon. The tournament does sound tempting, but your wedding is more important."

Rats. She almost had him. Not to worry…

Chi-Chi casually began to clear the table of empty dishes and bowls. "It's not for at least another seventy moons. By then, I think the knights would have had time to train."

And Goku too, even though I know he'll win. No way can someone match that power, she thought.

The idea was coming together. According to this law's land, Chi-Chi knew that slaves could get promoted if he proves himself worthy by winning a tournament a kingdom holds, or if he saves someone noble, or the princess herself!

No noble would wander far to get in any danger, and Chi-Chi only knew the castle walls surrounding her. The tournament was the only option left…

The Ox-King smiled again. "Yes, that does sound reasonable. I will announce it to the kingdom soon. However, the tournament shall be postponed, when the wedding occurs."

With her back turned to her father, Chi-Chi smiled.

***

The sun was blazing high overhead in the sky, and the summer heat was nearly unbearable for the peasants slaving away at the land. Some were resting now and having their usual lunch of watery soup and a loaf of bread.

Goku was resting under the shade of an oak tree. He had taken his lunch from the noble who delivered it, and went to an isolated spot to eat. The soup was nasty to him, so he settled for one loaf of bread.

His stomach growled loudly, and Goku sighed. He knew this one piece of bread wasn't going to fill him up, but it was better than starving.

Just as he was about to bite into it, Goku heard soft whimpering.

He turned his head, looking around, and he heard shuffling as someone crawled on the grass near him. He looked down to see a little girl had crawled from the other side of the tree.

It broke his heart to see the scrawny, dirty little girl, whose eyes displayed such deep hunger. She looked at him, pleadingly, and her stomach detested another moment without food.

"P-Please…mister…"

Goku couldn't take his eyes off the little girl. She was so innocent, and didn't deserve this. Was she a peasant too? And she kept gazing at the bread in Goku's hand, like she hadn't seen food since birth.

She reminded Goku of Chi-Chi, with her long black hair, and dark eyes. It was almost as if the child Chi-Chi were in front of him. Sympathy filled his heart.

"You want some?" he asked her.

The little girl nodded eagerly, gratitude dancing in her eyes. She held out her tiny, cupped hands to him. Goku smiled gently, broke the loaf of bread in two, and gave her one half.

The girl began to eat it, savoring the softness of the bread. After her first bite and swallow, she looked up at Goku, tears in her eyes. "Thank you," she whispered.

Goku just smiled and continued to eat his half of the bread, until he heard voices.

They were sounding near, and the girl perked up. She saw two figures coming in the distance, and she waved to them. "Okaasan! Otousan!"

When the two figures came close, the father scooped up the girl in his arms. "Oh, I'm so glad to see that you're safe." When he set her on the ground, he saw the bread in her hands. "Oh?"

The mother put it all together, and smiled at Goku. "Thank you so much for sharing with our daughter. I'm sorry if she was persistent, but we hadn't eaten in two days, and you know how we adults can sometimes handle this, but not a child…"

Goku smiled. "It's all right. I've gotten more taken away from me than bread."

Like all my money, and the one person I could learn to care about, he thought.

The father looked at Goku and smiled. "Cheer up, though. The King is holding a tournament, and the chances of winning aren't what you think. The winner gets a bit of money for trading products, and training to become a samurai!"

Goku was confused. "But what about the samurai that compete? If we fight against them, we'll lose for sure."

The father shook his head. "Well, the samurai may become shoguns! The tournament has different divisions, so it's not like the beginners will challenge professionals."

Goku seemed thoughtful. "What about you?"

The father laughed. "Son, I'm only good at working with these calloused hands. I can't hold a sword or nothing if I tried. I'm aging fast anyhow. A strong, young man like you could do better than me."

"Women can't compete as well," the mother added. "They don't think we're good enough like Princess Chi-Chi, and that we can't handle money."

"I wanna fight like Princess Chi-Chi!" the daughter exclaimed. "I bet if she competed in this tournament, she'd win for sure! You should fight too, mister Son."

Goku turned his head. "I'm not interested."

The father was very confused. "A strong lad like yourself doesn't take a shine to battles? What for?"

"Give it a try," the mother said, reassuringly. "I've seen you work in the fields, and that strength on the battlefield must be astounding."

"Maybe," Goku whispered.

***

Days had gone by now, and everyone was training hard for the tournament, except for Goku. He had no reason to. Usually, he would think of the challenge the other competitors might offer, but he was thinking about something else.

Ever since he was taken away from Chi-Chi and put into slavery, Goku guessed there was no point in trying to do anything else. Could he be blamed for wanting to spend time with Chi-Chi?

After all, she was the one who wanted to be with him, and Goku didn't object. He guessed it would make sense to get to know her.

And now his freedom was taken away from him too. He wasn't sure how it happened exactly, but all he knew was that he worked from sunup to sundown, with no luxuries like three meals a day and different clothes, and friends.

He missed everyone he ever knew, and had some weird feeling for Chi-Chi that he tried to shake off, but he recognized it when he knew he missed her.

Goku heard a soft whinny of a horse, and soft trotting, as the horse stopped next to him. Goku looked up at the horse's rider. It was Wakaru, and he looked down at Goku, lost.

"What are you doing? Won't you train with the rest of us? Don't let this opportunity go to waste. Come along now, and see why we're admired for our skills."

Goku frowned. "I don't want to go. There's no point in trying. You go ahead."

Wakaru slid off his horse, and stood in front of Goku, crossing his arms. "You're obviously lost. Every year, the King holds a tournament to choose new knights and let the lower class people rise to new positions! The annual tournaments are spectacular, and offer excellent training. We make the King happy with our performances."

Goku sighed and leaned against the same oak tree. "I don't care about that… You can go."

Wakaru frowned, and mounted his horse. "Have it your way. You will regret this." The horse galloped away.

***

"What do you mean he doesn't want to?"

Wakaru sighed, as he heard Chi-Chi follow him as he put his horse back in the stable. As he began to feed the horse, he groaned. "You really shouldn't be here in the stables, my lady. Dirt is nowhere near elegance for a princess like yourself."

Chi-Chi crossed her arms. "Don't avoid my question. Tell me what you mean."

Wakaru sighed, knowing he couldn't disobey an order from the princess. He turned around to face her once he set a bucket of water for the horse to drink.

He began to talk to Chi-Chi, as he brushed the horse's mane.

"I'm telling you the truth, my lady. Goku had no desire to fight. He said there was no point, and I tried to get him to understand, but he did not. He had this sad look on his face, like he was forlorn."

Chi-Chi was partly relieved to know that Goku wasn't angry with her, but she wondered why he refused to compete. "What else did he say?"

Wakaru shrugged. "He said he didn't care for the entire matter. He wanted me to leave, so I did."

"No!" Chi-Chi said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "You must talk to him once more! Please, say all that you can to convince him! I… Um, my father wishes to see him fight the most."

Wakaru looked at her in concentration. There was a certain look in her eyes when it came to Goku. He knew that the last sentence she spoke wasn't true. She hesitated, seemed nearly destroyed when she heard Goku didn't want to compete.

Wakaru guessed right then…

"So, you would wish for me talk to him at once?"

Chi-Chi looked over her shoulder. It was getting dark outside. She looked at Wakaru again. "I don't want you to get hurt at this hour, but I really wish you would talk to him."

Wakaru nodded, and took out another horse to ride. "I'll do my best, my lady."

***

The moon had barely peaked its silver crescent when Wakaru arrived at Goku's chamber in the Slave Headquarters. He tied his horse to a wooden stake outside, and rapped his knuckles on the wooden door.

He was greeted by a cautious Goku, but then saw the annoyed look on Goku's face. "Sir Wakaru, I told you I'm not interested in-"

"Listen up, friend," Wakaru interrupted, swinging the door open and stepping inside. "I'm not here to harry you. I'm here to make a statement."

Goku growled. "What?"

Wakaru cleared his throat and rubbed his hands together to warm them. He looked at Goku, solemn. "I order you to compete in that tournament. As a slave, you wouldn't dare disobey someone who has authority over you."

Goku said nothing, and saw Wakaru's sword in its sheath, hanging around his waist. Would he kill him if he protested? He decided to chance it.

"I don't want to compete," he said simply.

Wakaru rolled his eyes. "Heed me. If you truly wish to know, this is a request of the princess'."

Goku looked up at Wakaru, hopeful and confused. "Chi-Chi?"

Wakaru frowned. "Princess Chi-Chi, and yes."

"She wants me to compete?" he asked, doubtful.

Wakaru nodded. "What part didn't you understand?"

Goku looked down. "But why?" he whispered. "Why does she want to see me compete? Or see me at all? She just brought me here to make her father happy. I-"

A loud smack rang in the air suddenly, and Goku stumbled backwards, his hand cupping his stinging cheek. He looked at Wakaru, who glared at him. "You fool!" he exclaimed. "She's in love with you! Can you not see it?"

Goku's childish, thoughtful face showed his innocence as he looked up at Wakaru. "Love?" he asked.

"Yes," Wakaru replied, walking toward the door. He turned back and nodded at Goku supremely. "And I'd better see your rear on the training grounds in the morning."

He slammed the door behind him, and Goku didn't move until he heard Wakaru's horse gallop away.

Goku sunk to his knees, his hand still cupping his cheek. Love? What did Wakaru mean by Chi-Chi was in love with him? How could she be inside of an invisible virtue? What did that have to do with him?

Goku stood up and used the back exit to step outside. He looked up at the moon, in deep thought.

From afar, a shady figure was watching Goku as it stood from behind a tree.

"He's a strange one… Yes, very strange. What power he has. Power I can use…"

To be continued…

Chapter Three: Disaster Unfolds

A/N:

(1) I own Talim in the story, but her name is derived from the character Talim in Soul Caliber 2, one of the greatest fighting games ever for the PS2 (or any system for that matter).

(2) In medieval Japan, young boys used to have careers as messengers, but they soon began training to become samurai, so the messenger careers were often given to the girls.