Of Two Hearts
Chapter 18: The Estrangement
The sun had barely touched the skies when Goku left the apothecary's room. He snuck out the window on the opposite side and stopped for a moment as he closed his eyes, reveling in the cool winter air. It was getting a little warmer, though. Spring would soon arrive.
However, there were other things to worry about. Goku's head had been tilting up, and he opened his eyes slowly. The first things he saw were the stone turrets of the castle, their dark peaks resting in the background of the light blue sky.
In one of those turrets slept a very needy Chi-Chi. Goku took in a deep breath and exhaled, partially nervous. He had no intentions of following the Ox-King's request of his departure to search for medicine for Chi-Chi.
But he did leave to make it seem like he was. His real plans were to try to see Chi-Chi and restore her memory. If he could do that, he and she would be allies in the battle for their love once again.
Goku looked up at the clouds. "Flying Nimbus!" he called his personal cloud.
The fluffy cloud zoomed down from the sky and came to a halt by Goku.
Goku climbed onto the cloud. "Okay, Nimbus, fly us over to that third tower over there," he said, pointing to the third turret in the distance.
The cloud complied with its master's request and sped toward the designated location.
The morning meal was set before Chi-Chi as she quietly ate alone, savoring the current solitude. Serenity was all around her as she continued to relax. She didn't know why, but she had a theory that the Ox-King had softened, considering he let her be alone nowadays.
Then again, he was no longer a subject to Piccolo's Dark Seed Invasion.
Chi-Chi opened one eye slowly and glanced out of the corner of it. She had been having a strange feeling that something was lurking around nearby. Her glance was quick, and caught a silhouette behind the curtains leading to her back balcony.
Chi-Chi set down her glass of milk and stood up, carefully stepping closer to the curtains. She had to make sure she was seeing this right. The silhouette appeared to be a man sitting on a bouncy fluff of something…
Chi-Chi rubbed her eyes before she reached to pull the curtains apart. She stopped suddenly, as she heard her name being whispered.
Oh, so now this silhouette knew her too.
Chi-Chi shook her head and pulled the curtains apart. Her eyes widened as surprise overcame her. Her eyes had first caught sight of Goku, and her mind had not registered who he was, but when she saw the Nimbus cloud, new thoughts burst in her mind.
She knew where the Nimbus had come from and who it belonged to and who was the only one who could control it. She knew now. It had to be…
"G-Goku?" she asked hesitantly, her eyes shining with wonder and confusion.
The black-haired stranger smiled at her, sighing with relief. "I knew you'd remember if I brought the Flying Nimbus. Yes, it's me, Chi-Chi."
Chi-Chi frowned. "I don't know you, just your name." She looked over her shoulder to make sure no one was coming. Then she faced back to the front. "What are you even doing here anyway?"
Goku was glad she asked. He locked his eyes with hers, no longer ecstatic, but serious. "Do you remember when you intervened in the battle between Vegeta and I? Why did you do it?"
Chi-Chi seemed thoughtful for a moment and then she nodded, timid now. She gave him a cautious eye. "Yes, I remember. I told you that if you got killed, I wouldn't know who you were. I did it because…well…"
She trailed off, and her cheeks had a rosy tint to them. Her hands had been clasped together against the silk material of her kimono at her chest, and now the fingers fumbled, as she struggled to hide her embarrassment.
"No, it's silly," she finally said, so low that she wasn't sure if she herself said those words.
Goku shook his head at her. "No, come on and tell me. You were almost there."
His gentle voice commanded her to put aside her bashful ways and admit the truth, so she did. "Um… I had dreams about you, which is completely ridiculous, considering the fact we don't know each other," she started, feeling her cheeks burn with a greater flame than the last time.
"But that can't be true, because I had feelings that I knew you before. Somewhere at sometime, I knew you, but I don't know when. I knew we shared more than a mere friendship. I…uh… Well, the point is that I'm very confused right now."
Chi-Chi looked away, sure that her entire face had to have been red, and perhaps her ears and neck burned a little too. What just happened? She was about to tell this stranger that she felt she had loved him.
Oh, that'll be the day, a voice inside her laughed.
"Are you all right?" Goku asked, frowning at her appearance. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you all red. Are you sick? It is kinda chilly out here."
Chi-Chi glanced up at him. Your cheeks are red too, but not for the same reason as mine, she thought. "I've been feeling a little under the weather, but I don't think it's too serious. I mean, I know being tired all the time must mean something, but I can't put my finger on it."
"You're dying, Chi-Chi," Goku told her simply.
Chi-Chi seemed confused for only a split second, and as soon as her brain registered those words, a look of fury was on her face. "What is the matter with you?!" she yelled, clearly furious. "You think you can come over, listen to my feelings, and then tell me I'll die! Is this some perverse joke of yours?! Why I oughtta-"
She didn't finish her sentence as she took a swing at his face. Goku leaned backwards to avoid Chi-Chi's punch, surprise and confusion plastered on his face. What had he done now? He was about to explain himself! Goku leaned backwards a little too much and fell off the Nimbus.
He hopped back to his feet just in time to block another punch and various open hand strikes. Each was coming at a forceful and incredible speed. Growling angrily that she couldn't touch Goku, Chi-Chi maneuvered around Goku, driving her most powerful punch to his face.
But Goku held out his hand to catch her punch, and when Chi-Chi's fist smacked into it, he grabbed her wrist and held it tight, letting her know that he was the victor.
Chi-Chi felt she couldn't move her arm, even her left arm that guarded her chest and stomach. She glared at Goku, but her face softened into a curious and suspicious look once she saw Goku look at her calmly.
He was never angry? Wait a minute… Why did this seem familiar? She had once before fought a very strong warrior who used the same tactics to render her helpless, but he didn't share her angry front.
Could this be the same warrior?
No, Chi-Chi was sure.
Since hand techniques weren't working, Chi-Chi resorted to using her legs.
Cursing the fact that the kimono's material didn't let her legs move very much, she aimed a kick in between Goku's legs. Instead of jumping back, he caught her foot and pulled her towards him.
Losing her balance, Chi-Chi fell forward on top of Goku, and when they crashed to the ground, she glared at him, blushing at their closeness. Grunting, she moved away from him and crossed her arms.
How stupid! She thought. This can't be the same man I'd been dreaming about.
"May I speak now?" Goku asked cautiously, raising his hands in defense. He saw a bitter expression on her face, and heard her snort. He let out a sigh and ran a hand through his hair.
"You may not believe me, but I know the cure for your sickness," he started slowly. "You know that if you neglect an illness, it can grow worse and possibly fatal. In your case, this has been going on for quite some time, right?"
"What's your point?"
Goku scooted closer to her, sitting on his knees, placing his hands on her shoulders and looking her in the eyes. "This is no earthly disease you have, Chi-Chi. Like I said, you may not believe me, but your problem is that you're going to die because you're torn."
Chi-Chi raised an eyebrow, still defensive. "Torn?"
"Your heart?" Goku told her. "Don't you feel lost and torn?"
She turned her face away, an almost grieving look on her face. "What do you know about me?" she quietly asked.
"I know you feel strange lately. You've been drifting off and you're always tired. I know how to help you," Goku explained.
"I just need to sleep," Chi-Chi replied, and then gave him a curious look. "Anyway, how do you know what's wrong with me?"
Goku took out the letter that Talim gave him last night and handed it to Chi-Chi. Her eyes skimmed over the letter, and then she rolled her eyes, scoffing.
"First he's yelling about how he can't trust me and all of that, and now he thinks I'm going to die. I'm not. I just need to sleep."
She rose to retreat to her bedchamber, but Goku grabbed her wrist. "No, Chi-Chi, you don't understand! Let me help you!"
Chi-Chi yanked her wrist out of his grip. "Really, Goku! Don't worry about me. My father won't kill you. You're not responsible for me."
"But I feel responsible for you, all right? It just comes with feelings of…liking someone. You would want to protect that other person and make sure they're all right," Goku explained.
Chi-Chi raised her eyebrows at his confession, and then new feelings swirled inside of her. Did Goku just tell her he was fond of her? Well, she liked him too. Maybe he was the guy she had been dreaming about…
It was silent and calm in the Throne Room, where the Ox-King sat, with his eyes closed, surrounded by guards and other attendants. The Ox-King had his eyes closed for two reasons. He hadn't gotten any sleep lately. He had also been worrying about his daughter's condition. Nightmares of her symptoms worsening and her death haunted his mind. He knew that Goku was the only one who could cure her, since Chi-Chi developed these symptoms after being with Goku.
But there were still several thoughts that nagged the Ox-King: Did Goku receive the letter he wrote? Did Talim deliver it? Did Goku leave to find the cure?
Ox-King opened one eye slightly and glanced out the corner of his eye to see his most loyal guard. "Wakaru?"
Wakaru remained in his solemn stance, and staring straight ahead, he answered, "Yes, Sire?"
"Are you certain that Goku wasn't in the apothecary's room?"
Wakaru nodded, but the Ox-King gave a sigh. "I would feel better if you checked once more. Will you do this for me?" Wakaru turned, gave a slight bow as approval, and rushed out of the room.
He was surprised to see Talim on the way. He stopped in his tracks, and blinked, confusedly. "Sister, what are you doing here? You should be doing your studies."
"I know, but I wanted to see Goku this morning before I went. I'm trying to save his head," Talim explained.
"That's my job," Wakaru affirmed, and then sighed. "It's really a waste of time. Goku wasn't there last night and he won't be there now."
Talim frowned. I have a feeling I know where he is, but it's not good, she thought.
"Go do your studies with Otousan," Wakaru said before walking toward the apothecary's room.
Instead, Talim turned and headed upstairs.
Goku was still on his knees before Chi-Chi, and he never took his pleading gaze off her. His eyes were full of the heartwarming passion he confessed by mouth. There was an awkward silence as Goku looked at Chi-Chi, waiting for an answer, and Chi-Chi folded her arms across her chest to warm herself from the cold.
Finally, she spoke quietly, "It's cold. Come inside."
Chi-Chi turned and strode inside her bedchamber, Goku following obediently from the balcony. Goku closed the doors and brought the curtains together to trap the heat in the room.
He gazed at Chi-Chi confusedly as she merely sat on her knees in front of her breakfast. She obviously had intent to finish it rather than answer to his confession. Goku dared not disturb her as she calmly continued to eat, but he could've sworn she was putting up a façade.
He thought he knew her well enough to know when she was pretending. Didn't she feel the same way about him?
Goku sat down at the opposite end of the room, leaning against the wall. He glanced at Chi-Chi occasionally, dejectedly. His heart sank very low as he brought his knees to his chest, wrapping his arms around them.
He had been expecting to hear some verbal form of a confession from Chi-Chi. He thought she liked him too. In fact, she liked him first. But now, she said nothing…
He didn't blame the broken Saiyan bond. Her feelings for him were still there. She was only hiding them.
But why?
Chi-Chi set down her bowl of rice and placed her chopsticks across it. She took her last drink and then backed away from the traditional legless table. She saw Goku looking sorrowful in the corner. What was his problem now?
"Eating will replenish my strength, so you don't have to worry about me," she said, breaking the silence.
Goku looked up at her, startled that she spoke. Then he shook his head at her. "Eating won't save you, Chi-Chi. I told you this was a matter of the heart."
He had been saying this slowly, as his eyes gazed at Chi-Chi, who was brushing her loose hair in gentle strokes. The lilac, wavy ribbon tying her hair lay at her side as she looked at her reflection in the metal bowl used to hold water for her morning wash.
Goku still only stared at Chi-Chi. He hadn't seen her with her hair down since they were kids, and even then, she had been wearing a helmet. He felt the urge to run his fingers through her hair, but then he shook his head.
There wasn't any time for that now.
Chi-Chi still concentrated on styling her hair as she spoke. "A matter of the heart," she repeated after Goku. "Are you saying there's something wrong with my heart? Will I die of a broken heart?"
She glanced at him. "You know, that actually can happen. You know the story of Genji's mother."
Goku looked away. "Umm… Yes, you will die of a broken heart, if you don't restore your love."
Chi-Chi raised an eyebrow. "My love? Vegeta is gone, and there was someone else, and…and…"
She stopped tying the ribbon in her hair as she gasped slightly, startled at her own realization. She had glanced at Goku with wide eyes, and then bowed her head, saying quietly, "Ah, it's nothing. Forget it."
"No," Goku said, getting closer to her. He kept his eyes on Chi-Chi, who didn't seem to retreat as he advanced. When they were as close as before, Goku cupped Chi-Chi's face in his hands and lifted her head to look at him.
"It's me that you also have feelings for, Chi-Chi. I know this. If the Saiyan bond sounds familiar to you, you'll know that both of us had been affected. Your bond with Vegeta has been unimportant as of late. It's been feeling faint, hasn't it?"
Startled, Chi-Chi froze as she still felt Goku's hands gently stroke her face. She shook her head and leaned away from Goku. "But…but… How do you know? Kami, this is scary. I don't know if it's a Saiyan bond, but you described what I'm feeling perfectly."
Goku smiled inwardly. He was getting to her. This was good.
"You know why? Because I felt the same way you did. I also had a faint feeling when the person I bonded with was far away. The effects were fatal, and I'm trying to save you from death," he explained.
Chi-Chi looked down in concentration, trying to take this all in. "Yes, I think I understand," she said slowly, and then looked up at him, curious. "The feelings are of affection. Whom did you bond with?"
Ardently, his eyes met hers, and his hands resumed their position again, and he brought her face to his, capturing her lips with his own. Goku had wanted to kiss Chi-Chi for a really long time now, and now that he was, he felt fulfilled. He hoped to let Chi-Chi know he had bonded with her. He could feel Chi-Chi's surprise within the kiss, and it wasn't questionable.
Who would've known that there was a side of Goku like this?
With a gentle moan, Chi-Chi didn't pull away from the kiss, but leaned into him deeper. It seemed that she, too, had also nearly forgotten this feeling...
Heat was beginning to spread when Goku pulled away, resting his forehead against hers. He glanced at her adoringly, almost shyly, and made one hand travel through her hair in search of the ribbon.
When he felt the satin material, he gently pulled at it, and soon felt the soft bounce of Chi-Chi's dark tresses that was no longer in a ponytail. He ran his hands through her hair, and her natural scent exuded into the air.
"You're very pretty, Chi-Chi," Goku whispered, trying his best to hide his near ragged breathing. "I like it when your hair is down like this."
He didn't give her a chance to speak, as he covered her mouth with his again. His hands made a descent from her hair to her shoulders, down past her chest, brushing it ever so slightly, down to her waist.
He pulled her closer to himself, unknowingly committing the exact move that would cause Chi-Chi to retreat.
Chi-Chi's eyes widened and her cheeks turned a bright red as she felt something poking into her. She knew what that was, and knew she had once again crossed her boundaries. She jerked away from him suddenly, and shook her head, catching her breath.
"N-No… This isn't what…. I want," she panted, and tore her eyes off Goku as she pushed herself away from him. If they had been any closer, she would've rested in his lap.
Goku, dejected again, looked at her in confusion. "It's not?"
Chi-Chi shook her head, ashamed to the point of tears. "No… I don't even know you very well and here I am slowly giving myself away. Yet, you've become very familiar to me now. Even so, I just can't do this…"
She had her shameful stare cast down, but turned away at the sight of an excited male form. "Why?" she heard Goku ask.
Chi-Chi felt the tears come stronger, and passion burned within her. She clenched her hands and tried to maintain a steady voice. "I'm not supposed to do this," she whispered. "Royalty doesn't stoop to this level."
Goku was still confused. "I don't understand…"
Chi-Chi sighed. "This is what I wanted to avoid. If I keep on doing these kinds of things with you, then I'll want to be intimate with you, and I can't do that…"
"But don't you like me too?"
Her ears and neck burned along with her cheeks. "Umm, I still do…a lot, but I can't commit myself to you yet."
"I understand," Goku said quietly, and then looked up at her. He bridged the distance between them and his hands reached out and touched her shoulders. He thought he felt the slightest movement of a flinch or tensing.
"No, no," he said gently. "I just want to hug you, that's all."
Chi-Chi eased slowly and maneuvered herself in his arms, resting her head against his chest. She could hear Goku's breathing and his heart's rapid speed gradually dropping. The diversion of his visit and the results of it were more than what she asked for, and knew that disappointment had oppressed them both.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
Goku looked down at her. He could only see her dark tresses and not her probably regretful face. He knew her relaxed form pressed against his was not one of true tranquility, but because she was spiritless.
"No, it's me who should be sorry," he said back. "I think I asked too much of you."
He believed he did. His intense urges kept telling him to get even closer to her, instead of talking, and he gave in to kissing her, which made his urges grow stronger. Making love to Chi-Chi would've been the next step, and he knew that was too far.
He had often wondered how long they could keep going like this, being apart from each other, and then resisting passion the few times they had together.
But he was happy that he restored her memory. That was all he wanted. Now he and Chi-Chi were once again allies in the fight for their love.
"There was silence after he said that, Otousan. I don't know what he meant or why he was holding her that closely, but he did. That embrace looked different than the ones I usually see."
Tachihama Hyuki looked down at his daughter, bewildered, as he sharpened his sword in the artisans' room. He was startled to hear the news his daughter presented to him, but she had spoken in a fast, breathless manner.
"Tell me again, Talim."
Talim looked up at her father, hoping she hadn't upset him. There was a grave look on his face already. Talim explained about the letter the Ox-King asked her to deliver to Goku, and how she wanted to check on him this morning.
"But Onii-chan told me to come back here and do my studies with you," Talim started. "I didn't listen and I went up to see Chi-Chi, but when I got there… It was a strange sight, Otousan. She was in his embrace and she had her hair down. She never wears it like that unless it's a special occasion."
She paused and looked up at the ceiling thoughtfully.
"I thought her kimono was a little bit loose as well, but maybe that was my imagination. She and Goku were so close, and it confused me. The door was a little open, so I took a peek… I had never seen anything like it, and I dared not enter, not even breathe. After a few moments, I left, feeling strange about seeing that. What did all that mean, Otousan?"
Hyuki stared down at the large blade used to sharpen his sword. He couldn't believe his daughter—only eight years old--had witnessed an intimate, adult scene. He was also shocked and angry that this happened between Goku and Chi-Chi, although his face did not show it.
"You must clear your mind from such evil thoughts," he told his daughter.
"Evil?" Talim repeated, doubtful. "Chi-Chi committed a crime? Both Goku and Chi-Chi? Must they go to the temple to confess their sins?"
Hyuki stood up and placed his sword in his sheath. He walked past Talim to the exit of the artisans' room. "Forget them. I must leave. If your brother asks where I am, tell him I had reports concerning the slave's whereabouts."
"But-"
The door slammed shut, silencing Talim, and she stood by the large stone that supports a sharpened blade. A look of confusion was on her face. What had she done to make her father so solemn and upset? And what were Goku and Chi-Chi doing exactly, she still wondered.
Only fifteen minutes had passed before Wakaru returned to his father's living quarter, as he was on his break. He entered the quarter and was greeted by the comforting surroundings of his second home. He found Talim writing away at her bed. She was obviously interested in whatever she was scribbling, as she did not even raise her head to acknowledge him.
"Where is Otousan?" Wakaru asked.
Talim finally looked up at him, and she gave him a curious look. "He said he had to report of the slave's whereabouts, but I don't know what he meant, or why he was so serious after I told him what I saw…"
Wakaru raised a dark eyebrow at her. "What did you see?"
Blithely she explained her visionary, saying every detail her curious eyes took in, and didn't notice the hue her brother's cheeks had been shaded.
"They could've at least closed the door," he grumbled, turning around to hide his face from his sister, who inquired, "What?"
Wakaru shook his head. "Forget it."
"You sound like Otousan," Talim sighed, but she didn't know what thoughts ran in her brother's head.
Gosh, Chi-Chi, Wakaru thought dismally. How could you be so careless? And to consider I thought I knew you all these years. Refraining from that is helpful in its own way…
He was saddened, and shocked. He didn't know about this side of Chi-Chi at all. He didn't know that even women battled resistance. And was she even a woman at all? She would be twenty this year, and Wakaru was twenty-two. They were still children in the eyes of the world, and of adults.
Adults… The Ox-King!
What would he say, knowing that his daughter had been just a tad intimate with the boy he loathed the most? Wakaru knew that couldn't be good. He had to save face for his childhood friend, Chi-Chi.
Quickly, he dashed out the door, hoping to reach the Ox-King and talk him out of punishing Chi-Chi. He left a confused and sighing Talim behind. He had to make it!
Sixteen minutes too late.
The judgment had passed. During the fifteen minutes Wakaru had been on duty, Hyuki had reported his daughter's story to the Ox-King, who was enraged. He ordered Goku to be found and brought to him. The loyal samurai did as they were told.
Goku had only taken a few steps once he flew down from Chi-Chi's balcony. He had left her with a memory he was sure of, and now their newest bond would be tested as three samurai captured Goku and brought him to the Ox-King.
He didn't even explain why he was angry with Goku and ordered him to be put in jail for life unless he said different. Normally, he would've killed his enemies, but if he killed Goku, and Chi-Chi was not well, there would be no official cure.
And so, the estrangement began.
To be continued…
Chapter Nineteen: A Persistent Heart