Of Two Hearts
Chapter 7: Wondering
A gentle wind picked up fall's dying leaves, skimming across the cobblestone streets, which were barely visible at dawn's light. Only a few people were awake at this hour, and some had already begun a journey in the streets, heading to the marketplace before it got busy.
One townswoman had strolled along the streets, a straw basket in her arms. There was a dark, folded blanket in the basket to cushion the food she would buy at the marketplace. As routine would have it, the townswoman passed by the same places: lines of row houses, streetlamps glowing with flickering candles, fields of dew-covered grass, a body.
A body?
The townswoman stopped, startled. Shaking her head, she wondered if she actually saw a body on the ground. As her eyes shifted downward, pallor captured her face.
Moving towards the body, she saw that dew had embraced it, leaving a wet, chilly coat on it.
The woman slowly reached out and touched the face. It still seemed the person was alive. As she turned the body over, rolling it to a section with shorter grass, she discovered something she really didn't want to know.
Turning her head away quickly at the person's nakedness, she threw her blanket over the body.
As she did this, she felt something on her bare arm. Her eyes dropped to her arm, and a ghastly look was evident.
A furry tail lay limply on her arm.
The woman behaved like any other, and rose to her feet, running away, screaming as she did, not caring whom she awoke.
And so, this was the beginning of a fateful trial…
***
It was hours later before the fallen being opened his eyes slowly. He felt the grass beneath him and the sunshine on his face as he sat up, dismally. Grimacing, Goku stretched his limbs.
Then he looked around, confused. What was he doing so far away from the palace? Why was he so tired?
And lastly, why was he naked, and with only a blanket to cover him?
Goku stood up and wrapped the blanket around his waist, folding parts inward to disguise it was a hakama. (1) He would be walking around, immodestly showing his bare chest, but Goku did not care for the time being.
Nonetheless, he would receive stares for his strange outfit…
Goku looked to his right to see the palace in the distance. Oh well. He'll just have to walk there. Before doing this, Goku felt the back of him. Yes, his tail was still there.
Goku frowned, curling it around his waist to keep it secure. He had to keep it hidden before anyone else thought something different. He remembered how it was when he first met Bulma, and how she freaked out, once she saw his tail. What if the other humans were like that too?
Goku made it safely to the Slave Headquarters. Perhaps his former associates would know why he was so far away from the palace.
"So that's where you were, Sir Goku!"
Hanako looked confused at Goku's appearance and at his question. "But why do you ask me if you were in town? It's you who were there, and not I. I've been here in the kingdom the whole time, and I thank Kami I'm even alive after last night."
Goku shared her confused look. "What do you mean?"
Hanako frowned. "Sir Goku, this isn't a topic to toy with. Where were you last night?"
Another nearby slave nodded and stopped carrying a stretcher outside. "Yea, where were you? The emperor called for you last night in a very crucial time, but you never arrived…"
Goku growled. "What happened?"
Hanako sighed. "It was the most horrible thing I've ever seen in my life. Piccolo sent an enemy, a giant ape to attack us. The ape destroyed our army and annihilated over a third of our men. It even almost killed the princess, but thankfully, Prince Vegeta was there to stop the ape before it could inflict any more pain. I… I can't even begin to describe it."
She looked up at Goku, sadly.
"The grass was heavily tainted with the blood of men, and the corpses piled up like books. A very gruesome thing, it is. I can still hear the screams of agony in my head when I'm alone. I don't want to go out there and clean the fields up. I don't think I have the stomach to. But the fields were ordered to be cleared."
The world had faded away for that moment as Goku took the straight truth. It slammed him, right to his very soul. He stood motionless, petrified. The color drained from his face. His widened eyes were filled with horror. It immediately came to him.
He was the ape.
Goku twitched, and couldn't breathe as a lump formed in his throat. The impact of this knowledge was enough to bring tears to his eyes, but he held them back. Only the awful truth was repeated in his head.
Dear Kami, I AM the ape… he thought, distraught. It's all my fault. I killed them. I killed innocent people, and hurt everyone. I… I almost killed Chi-Chi. I'm a murderer.
"Sir Goku…?"
Hanako trailed off as she called him for the fourth time, as she saw Goku turn and walk away. His sudden movement had startled her, and all she could hear was his footsteps as he walked away.
***
"Hey, Goku!"
The disturbed Saiyan looked up at the mention of his name. A fellow samurai waved to him from the entrance path of the Ox-King's palace, and beckoned him to come. Goku's heart sank with every step he took towards the palace. Couldn't he just be left alone?
"What?" he whispered lifelessly once he arrived there.
The samurai, naïve to Goku's state, gestured towards the flight of stairs behind him in the open door. "The emperor wants to have a word with us. It's a very urgent meeting he says."
Goku said nothing, and followed the jovial samurai up the stairs and into the throne room. They lined up in accordance, kneeling before the emperor as they always had done.
Goku tried to force himself to listen as the Ox-King spoke.
"It's a new day, my subjects," the Ox-King started, hiding his grave feelings. "But last night was a terrible sight to see. You all know of the monster that terrorized the kingdom, killing our finest men and innocent people."
He placed each of his hands on the hands of two people standing to the left and right of him.
"I always thank Kami that Vegeta and Chi-Chi have lived through this predicament. Only Kami knows why they were spared. You all have endured and fought hard against the monster, but you must realize it is by chance that you are alive."
Now the Ox-King became solemn.
"A lesson was learned through this circumstance. We mustn't have too much pride in our abilities. We can't let this happen again. We must be alert at all times, and you all must work harder and train harder, and you must be more responsible in whom you protect, am I not right, Goku?"
Goku shot his head up to assure his listening, and then nodded. He knew what the Ox-King was hinting at. Goku glanced at Chi-Chi, and their eyes met for a moment, before she blinked rapidly, turning her face away sharply, as if she were startled, forbidden to look into his eyes.
Into the eyes of a bad person. I'm a bad person… I don't even know who I am anymore. Goku's heart sank deeper, and he could hardly listen to the rest of what the Ox-King said. All he could make out was instructions to be more careful and that last night was an unforgettable disaster.
***
Later on that day, the peasants were cleaning up the fields and carrying the corpses on stretchers made from tree limbs and animal hides. They were going to bury them in a separate field, which would be considered a sacred ground.
Goku watched the peasants work, and could hear the soft cries of the peasant women as they buried loved ones and mourned for their husbands' deaths. It was a painful sound to Goku's ears, and he stood up from the balcony of the first turret.
As he descended towards the ground and walked over to the fields, he heard people whispering as he walked by. Shouldn't a vassal be off training with the others? They thought.
Goku ignored the whispering and stopped by another peasant, who had placed corpses in a rickshaw. He was having trouble placing one in, and Goku picked it up and laid it in the rickshaw.
The peasant looked up at Goku, and then blinked. "Thank you, Sir Goku. What are you doing helping me? It's the peasants work to clear the fields."
Goku picked up another body and lay in the rickshaw. "I would like to help," he responded monotonously. Believe me, it's more of a duty, he thought.
"All right," replied the peasant. "Thank you, Sir Goku."
After helping clear the fields, Goku headed into the further village to buy some food for some of the women who had lost loved ones. He knew they wouldn't be up to cooking now. The frequent rounds didn't bother Goku. He wanted to be busy.
Goku sighed as he held a basket of food for Shi Lu, as he walked to her hut. He didn't know if he killed anyone Shi Lu loved, but she was old and that was enough for Goku. As far as he knew, Shi Lu only had one living relative in the kingdom.
Goku knocked on her door, and waited for an answer. When the door opened, Goku was surprised to see someone his own size. He blinked at the stranger, and the stranger frowned.
"Han Wong, what are you doing, just leaving my door open like that?" a voice called from the back of the hut. "Close it, you foolish child!"
Han Wong shrugged at Shi Lu's words. "All right," he said, and closed the door in Goku's face.
Then the door opened again, when Han Wong remembered seeing a basket full of food in Goku's arms. "Hello," Goku tried again.
"That blasted door is open again," Shi Lu mumbled as she walked to it. She shoved her nephew aside and looked up at Goku, noticing the distressed look behind Goku's polite façade.
I knew you were the one, she thought. The true you finally shows. And what power DO you have…
"What's that for?" Shi Lu asked, pointing to the basket. Goku looked down at it and shrugged. "It's just a gift, really. Here." Shi Lu took it and looked it over, and Han Wong frowned beside her. "Do you really trust-"
"Hush your blasted mouth, child," Shi Lu scolded. "The food is good. Now pay the man."
Han Wong bit his lip, holding back a string of expletives. He dug into the goatskin pouch hanging at his waist and threw a silver coin at Goku. "Thank you for your kindness," he mumbled.
Goku smiled wearily and then turned to walk away.
Once he was out of their eyesight, Han Wong crossed his arms and smiled. "In a way, it's good to see him this way," he said to Shi Lu. "He was strange from the start."
"Hmm," Shi Lu mused.
***
Several days passed with mourning of great warriors and innocent loved ones. The people cried out, not restraining their sorrow, and prayed for the souls of the departed, as well their living relatives. The temples and shrines were very busy as people came to pray and worship, and ask Kami why this had to happen.
They asked why suffering must come to them, and why Prince Vegeta suffered his wounds from combating the giant ape. They thought he was near the brink of death.
In reality, Vegeta lay in bed in the apothecary's room, resting and recovering from his wounds and scars. He hated staying in bed and didn't look forward to having someone feed him. Who feeds a prince anyway?
"I swear I'll kill that ape," Vegeta growled as he looked out his window. He was grateful for the breeze that decided to blow. The apothecary's room was a bit stuffy. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
Vegeta growled, cursing under his breath. Not another feeding time! "The door is open," he croaked. He heard the door's creak as it swung open, and saw Chi-Chi walk in, carefully carrying a bowl of soup and a loaf of bread.
It was silent as Chi-Chi placed Vegeta's meal on a wooden stand by his bed, and moved it closer. She sat on the edge of the bed, and then untied the water gourd that hung on a thick reed, strung over her back.
Checking on Vegeta was part of Chi-Chi's daily routine now, and she didn't mind it. It distracted her from certain thoughts of someone, and she was getting to know Vegeta a little bit more everyday.
"How are you today?" Chi-Chi asked, stirring the soup, watching steam rise. She heard Vegeta grunt as he struggled to sit up. A look of hesitation crossed her face as Vegeta reached out for the bowl.
"Are you certain?" she asked. "Last time I gave you the bowl, you spilled soup on yourself."
Vegeta growled. "This is the last time I'll tell you, woman. I spilled it because the bowl was hot, not because I hadn't gained feeling in my arms."
Chi-Chi shook her head and scooted closer to him. "Your arms are about useless. Just let me feed you, and don't fight me. I don't care how embarrassing you think this is, Vegeta. You must admit you need my help. There are going to be a lot of days like this until you're well."
And after once we marry, Vegeta thought, and sighed. "All right. Start feeding me."
Chi-Chi stopped bringing the spoonful of miso soup to Vegeta's mouth, and poured it back into the bowl. Vegeta growled. "I'm hungry, woman! Feed me!"
Chi-Chi sighed, rather annoyed. "Please. Feed me, Chi-Chi, please."
Vegeta growled again. He really hated being in bed. He looked at Chi-Chi stubbornly, but opened his mouth to talk. "P-P-Please. F… Feed me, wom… Chi-Chi, pl…ease."
Chi-Chi smiled. "Hmph. It wasn't that hard, was it?"
Vegeta said nothing as he ate, but there were a few sentences every now and then, usually followed by a sarcastic remark from Vegeta.
He looked up at her as Chi-Chi dipped the bread in the broth. Vegeta frowned. "I'm weak, but I have teeth. I can eat that without you soaking it like you were feeding a baby."
Chi-Chi sighed impatiently. Was Vegeta nothing but rude and sarcastic? "All right," she said, and threw the bread at him. She wished it had hit him, but Vegeta caught it with his hand.
"Besides," he said, chewing on it. "I need to try to get stronger. Those idiot warriors need me to teach them a thing or two. It'd be good training for me as well. I need to be able to protect you in case that monster comes back. I'll kill him then."
A sick feeling that made Chi-Chi feel worse churned in her stomach. If only Vegeta and everyone else knew it was Goku. Just hearing about killing him made her feel worse.
Vegeta glanced at Chi-Chi. She seemed to have a thoughtful look on her face. He wondered what she was thinking of. Grunting under his breath, he dragged his limp arm across the bed a few inches.
His numb hand touched Chi-Chi's, and that was when he saw her thoughtful look aimed at him now. "What is it?" Vegeta asked.
"If it's me you worry of, do not. I'll be all right, and I'm going to recover quickly. You'll see. I have to. I must protect you, Chi-Chi, and I swear on it. I swear with my life."
This only made things worse. The way Vegeta spoke… He was very sincere and determined, and had an expression to match it.
Chi-Chi turned her head away, and slid her hand out from underneath Vegeta's. "Don't swear," she whispered.
She stood up, collected the dishes, and began her journey to the Dining Hall. As she left the door, the Ox-King came in to see Vegeta.
He looked down at Vegeta in bed and sighed. "I apologize this had to happen to you, Vegeta. But I'm eternally grateful for you saving Chi-Chi. I already think of you as my son. But don't fret. The samurai are out there training right now, preparing themselves to strategize and fight, should anything like the ape ever come back."
Vegeta frowned. "If the ape comes back, I'm going to kill him."
The Ox-King seemed doubtful.
***
Goku stared down at his reflection in the river at the watermill. He was supposed to be getting a drink for the hardworking warriors, but he was sidetracked as he looked at his own worried, stone-faced expression gaze back at him in the river.
Who am I?
No one could answer Goku's question, and he was tired of being depressed about it. He had been wandering, asking himself that for hours. He sighed and stood up, carrying the full water buckets back to the warriors' training field.
Once he had delivered the water, Goku heard his stomach growl, and knew it was time to head to the Dining Hall. Fresh and delicious food was served every hour on the hour, for anyone in the palace to eat anytime.
The enticing aroma lured Goku into the hall, and he headed over to the long table, a wooden plate in his hand.
He thought he was having a quiet meal all alone, but he heard cups clinking at the other end of the table. Goku looked up, and for the first time in a long time, he smiled.
"Chi-Chi," he whispered.
She hadn't noticed him, and began to sit to eat at a separate table. Goku sat across from her, and they had eye contact at last. But there was a look in her eyes. Fear, it seemed. Goku's heart sank as he began to eat. I can't blame her, he thought. After all, I did scare her and almost kill her.
Goku thought Chi-Chi would never want to see him again, but she didn't mind eating with him… Did this mean something?
Though they ate together, it was silent. Chi-Chi only seemed interested in eating as quickly as possible, and Goku didn't know what to say to her. Just when it seemed he had the right thing to say, Chi-Chi got up to clear her spot and take her dishes to the basin.
Then something unexpected happened.
Goku placed his dishes in the basin, and then headed toward the back door, but he heard Chi-Chi call his name. He turned his head towards her, giving her a questioning, almost sad look.
"Come here. I want to go somewhere with you," she said quietly.
Surprised, Goku turned back and then walked to her. He sensed uneasiness as he made his hand reach for Chi-Chi's. He wanted to hold it for two reasons. One, he wouldn't get lost, and two, to give her a hint. He wasn't going to hurt her…
When their palms touched, lightly, Chi-Chi gave him a glance that nearly disapproved of the action. She was slightly tense, and she did not hold Goku's hand with zeal.
Chi-Chi led him to a room in the back of the Dining Hall. It was almost like a library, and was filled with important scrolls and documents.
"No one will see us here. This is perfect," she told Goku.
It was?
Chi-Chi attempted to look at Goku confidently, and straightened her posture. She had been timid around Goku and shrunk away from him, but now she had to make herself do this. She looked at him once more.
"I… I want to see your tail," she said.
Huh?
Goku blinked. "It's in my pants."
"Oh," Chi-Chi replied, and turned her face away as he took it out.
"It's all right now," Goku said, and then sighed with relief now that his tail was free. It was starting to get a little uncomfortable as it was tucked in a tight space.
Chi-Chi took her hands away from her face, and then stared curiously at Goku's tail, waving freely and peacefully. "Hm," she said simply. It was still there, and that night wasn't a dream…
Chi-Chi slowly took steps toward him, her eyes never leaving his tail. She looked up at Goku momentarily, hesitant, and then resumed her gaze on his tail. "Um, can I touch it?" she asked shyly.
Goku shrugged. "No problem."
Chi-Chi slowly reached for it, and then stopped. Her eyes met Goku's again, unsure. "It won't hurt?" she asked. She remembered their very first meeting and when she tugged at his tail, it hurt him a lot.
Goku shook his head and then smiled weakly. "Go ahead and touch it."
Chi-Chi then touched the tip of his tail, and it shivered lightly. Chi-Chi glanced at Goku and saw a look of pleasure on his face. Curiously, Chi-Chi held his tail in her hands and then looked it over.
"It's so soft," she murmured, and then stroked it twice.
Goku nearly moaned, feeling the way he did when Chi-Chi kissed him for the very first time. Then he shook his head. Woah, why he was doing that?
Chi-Chi let go of his tail, and then stepped back. Goku wished she didn't. Chi-Chi tilted her head to the side, studying his tail. "It's so… I mean, where did it come from?"
Confused, Goku shrugged and then looked at her. "Why are you asking? You act as if you've never seen it before. You don't remember when you first messed with it?"
"It's been a long time," she drawled, and then stepped forward to see it one more time.
***
As Chi-Chi reached out to touch it, Goku smiled as he realized Chi-Chi wasn't afraid of him despite that horrible night. When her arm was close enough, Goku made his tail wrap around her wrist, smiling again.
Chi-Chi was too curious to see Goku's game. She observed her arm and then studied the tail again. "So it's like a limb, right?"
Goku tilted his head. "Hmm… In a way. As I said before, it was used to help me with my balance. I remember when my tail first got cut off when I was little. I couldn't walk for days after that."
Chi-Chi grimaced. "That had to hurt… What else does it do?"
"Well, you already figured this one out a long time ago, but my tail is my weakness and I get a lot of pain when it's messed with," Goku laughed.
Chi-Chi nodded, remembering the first time she met Goku. She was glad she met him, and that she was with him now. Learning things about him would be for the better. "What else?" she asked.
Goku started to grow quiet now, and his face turned from happy to solemn. "My tail is also a source of power. I always felt stronger when I fought while I had it. I knew it was powerful, because I would feel a strange sensation when I got angry.
"I had forgotten, but I also felt the same way when I looked at the moon, and then… Well, you know. My Ojiisan Gohan told me to never look at the moon, but I forgot that night and then something just took over my mind…"
He sighed and looked up at her. "It's a long story, but I'm sorry you had to go through all of that the night I transformed. I nearly killed you. Are you afraid of me, Chi-Chi?"
Chi-Chi looked up at him too, and thought she had never seen a more remorseful face. "I used to be," she whispered. "Um, I figured you weren't human and so I wondered if you'd hurt me… I-"
Her words were cut short, as she felt Goku's large and warm hands rest atop hers. She felt him gently squeeze her hands in his own, and she looked up at him. The look on Goku's face…
His eyebrows were drawn to each other, slightly, in concentration. Sincerity and compassion were dancing in his eyes. His mouth was open slightly; he wanted to say something, but what?
He studied her face for a moment, before hanging his head, sighing under his breath, almost in defeat. "Chi-Chi, I…"
Silenced, Chi-Chi could only see his dark, thick spikes of hair droop down, and then, she noticed, they were shaking slowly…
Then she knew that Goku was trembling; his grip on her hands had loosened, and his fingers were not still like her own.
"W… What?" she whispered.
This wasn't good…
Finally, Goku lifted his head to look at Chi-Chi. Was he blinking back tears…? He slowly pulled Chi-Chi's hands towards his chest. He desired her closeness, which Chi-Chi did give to him, slowly…
"What?" she whispered again. "What were you going to say?"
She could feel the vibration of Goku's heartbeat against her palms as he spoke. "I don't want you to think that way, Chi-Chi," he whispered back to her. "I know what I did, but Kami knows I wouldn't purposely kill humans… I would never hurt you, Chi-Chi. I can't… Even when I wasn't in my mind, I still knew I couldn't hurt you."
Chi-Chi slowly pulled herself away from him to study his face. She had never seen Goku so emotional before. Then again, nothing like this had ever happened before.
"I know what I'm telling you isn't making much sense," Goku continued in his whispered voice. "I want to tell you so many things… Just know that I'd never hurt you."
He wouldn't have Chi-Chi retreat again, and he gently resumed their position. His hands slowly left hers and found her shoulders. For the moment they rested there, Chi-Chi felt Goku was tense. She eased into his arms slowly to give him comfort.
That was when she felt Goku continue with the embrace, and his hands descended from her shoulders. His arms wrapped around her clumsily, but this was the best embrace and hold to his know-how.
Chi-Chi tensed suddenly. She didn't mind Goku's touch completely, but there was something else she could detect. Something was invading her mind. It was as if she got a look into Goku's mind. She could somewhat understand his emotions…
Goku doesn't know who he really is, and now with this incident, does Chi-Chi even have the slightest clue as to who Goku really is?
Chi-Chi's thoughts were interrupted as she felt Goku's tail begin stroking movements up and down her back.
Chi-Chi's tension had melted into a strange serenity, accompanied by blush on her face. "Um… What is it doing now?" she asked Goku about his tail.
Goku pulled away slightly to look amorously and sadly into her eyes. "My tail is also a sensuous item. It's very sensitive to touch, and especially to the touch of a destined mate. When you stroked it the way you did, I felt something in me build up and… I liked it."
"Oh," Chi-Chi whispered, bowing her head, hiding her burning cheeks. "S-So you liked it, hm?"
She felt Goku's hand underneath her chin, lifting her head up to look at him. She saw that look in his eyes, and wondered where her naïve, sweet Goku had gone. If it weren't for the sadness in his eyes, she would've thought he was sinister.
Her heart began to pound suddenly as she felt him coming near. The suspense was absolutely horrible. She still had to take in everything Goku told her, slowly, thinking over it, and now a kiss too?
She couldn't move; she felt the warmth and passing of his lips over hers. The kiss was not passionate---it was too sad to be---and it was a hesitant kiss. She couldn't accept a kiss like this… Not in a situation like this…
Goku felt Chi-Chi's hands touch each side of his face, and felt her gently pull away. Goku felt himself freeze. Okay, this wasn't a good time to do that…
Nonetheless, this new feeling hurt.
Rejection.
***
"Wait," Chi-Chi whispered, shaking her head gradually. "I'm sorry, Goku… I-"
"It's too strange?" he whispered lifelessly. "It's not right to be near me?"
Chi-Chi looked up at Goku, partially worried. It seemed he sounded more desperate and forlorn as time went by… "That's not what I insinuated at all, Goku. Yes, it's a little strange, considering what you told me, but…"
She saw that Goku was about to speak, and she placed a finger to his lips.
"But," she continued, softly, "The issue of whether your presence is right or wrong isn't a bad one. It's been two months since the incident, and many things have happened during that time, but my feelings for you still remained true.
"I think if… instead of looking at you as a monster," she paused to remove her finger from his lips and cup the side of his face gently. "And instead as someone with a heart, I'll see we're still on the same ground, and that I'll learn to be more comfortable around you."
Goku blinked slowly as he looked at her. He studied her face with concentration before looking away momentarily. His hand slowly reached for Chi-Chi's that was still cupping his cheek, and rested atop it.
His sorrowful eyes met hers once again, and he asked quietly, "Then, would you be comfortable enough for a second kiss…?"
Chi-Chi closed her eyes momentarily. This wasn't the response she was expecting, however, what she said obviously evoked some sort of strong feeling within Goku…
She was slightly startled at feeling Goku's lips upon hers once again. He didn't wait for her answer? Well, it wasn't like she could say no for the second time. There was something different, something alluring about this kiss…
The gentle compassion was indeed derived from Goku's sorrow, but there was a beauty about the kiss that Chi-Chi couldn't pull away from. Without any objections, Goku went further with the kiss.
Chi-Chi moaned softly as he kissed her a little more firmly, and he tightened his grip around her waist. Chi-Chi leaned deeper into him and felt for his tail.
Once she had it in her hands, she resumed the gentle strokes she had done earlier. This time it was out of pure pleasure and not curiosity. Chi-Chi was satisfied to hear Goku's heavy moaning from her strokes, and his grip on her tighten even more as he attempted to get even closer.
Goku felt a powerful rush of desire run through his veins. He had never wanted something so much…
His hands traced her curves slowly; his gentle touches brushed sensitive spots. Chi-Chi arched up closer to him, pressing her breasts against his chest. The effect Goku had on her was driving her insane, even though all he did was merely kiss her and hold her.
Unbeknownst to both of them, they were sharing a Saiyan bond.
Suddenly, Chi-Chi straightened as she felt something poking into her. Flushing, she pulled her lips away from Goku's, and glanced at the bulge in his pants. Goku had the same thought and gazed at this strange stiffness.
"Um, Chi-Chi?" he meekly asked. "What is that?"
Chi-Chi quickly tore her eyes off his lower body and backed out of his arms. She blushed. "Uh, that happens when you're aroused."
Goku looked at her curiously, strangely, inevitably regretful about the termination of the amorous acts.
"Um, that feeling you had just now," Chi-Chi explained. "We went too far. It's a miracle no one's looking for us. Or maybe they are… I think we better get back before anyone wonders."
Goku frowned as he breathed slowly, letting the last of his soft panting die. His rising and falling chest was returning to its normal pace, but his stirring heart would be racing for a long time…
"But I want to stay with you," he said to Chi-Chi.
"I want to stay with you too, Goku," she whispered, feeling the heat in her cheeks spread. She glanced at him, and blushed deeper, obtaining the fact that Goku enjoyed the results of her inexperienced ways…
"But we can't, and you know this, Goku... Even so, I told you I'd figure out a way to make this work. No matter what, we're going to be together. I promise."
That promise would not be an easy one to keep…
To be continued…
Chapter Eight: Subjectivity of Pain
A/N:
(1) If you've ever seen a Kendo match, you'll notice the contestants will wear something that looks like a wide, pleated skirt reaching down to the ankles. It's been mistaken for a skirt, but it's actually a pair of pants. It's just hard to notice at first. That is a hakama, and that's what most Japanese men wore in the medieval days. Today, women and men can wear it and usually do at ceremonies or at Kendo-related activities.
(2) Here, I wanted to portray Goku as an emotional character, which I think he is. It's not shown as often, but I know he has feelings. And so, this is my first shot at portraying Goku like this. Was it bad? It doesn't help that I was emotional myself when I wrote this AND the fact I was listening to an angsty song…
(3) About this Saiyan bond… I think there are different kinds, and I've read about the kind I put in my story. Here, the Saiyans have their tails and it's sensitive to a mate's touch, and instead of biting the mate's neck to withdraw blood, there is a powerful emotional connection in which mind communication is possible. This is only a part of the "second" Saiyan bond, and you'll see more of this kind as I write.
Moon girl 16: No, Goku won't do anything to Chi-Chi. Seeing him in his Oozaru state like that was enough for her, I think.
Lady Thundera: Vegeta's been getting sneakier. He has plans. It's both Shi Lu and the Saiyan changes that's making Goku like this. LOL. Whose side are you on? When I first saw the Saiyan ape I was like, "Who?" I didn't necessarily think of King Kong, but that's an interesting point. LOL. Saiyan mating season plus certain content equals poor Chi-Chi…I guess. History stories rock. Too bad it's hard to be original.
Lady Athena X: I think the angst was hellish. The anguish and torment of knowing Goku's killed people and his chances of being accepted and loved have dropped greatly is pretty bad. Oh, the Ox-King's sort of pissed off, but it's really rather sad. Chi-Chi has mixed feelings now. You think Shi Lu does? Well, she's evil and Kaede isn't.
Carrie2sky: I tried to make a lot of things unexpected. I want to be an author that offers some variety. Thanks again.
Gogirl: Yes, poor Goku. LOL. "Kill the Beast!" The peasants were going to plot against Goku, but seeing the situation they were like, "Uh…never mind." I've seen too many Disney movies. It's a part of my childhood, so I can't forget. No one else knows Vegeta is a Saiyan. I'll review soon. LOL. We must put our favorite Saiyan through a little hell, but we still love him. A certain chapter? Uh-oh, I have a bad feeling about this.
Noname: Thanks. Chi-Chi's still a little lost, but she's going to find stable ground soon. She still loves Goku though. The mob's going to chill out now that the crisis with Goku occurred.