Of Two Hearts

Chapter 27: Seclusion and Confrontation

The morning sun gradually rose behind the mountains in the distance. Its warmth was accompanied by a gentle wind and the soft singing of flocking birds. But the surroundings today weren't comforting, as they usually were. This day had an awkward beginning, due to the awkward events of the night before.

Chi-Chi was already awake before the sun, lying in her futon and gazing up at the ceiling. She was in a contemplative state, reflecting over what had happened last night. She didn't know if anything else could have been so hard to ask, or if asking was a mistake in itself. Nonetheless, she still wondered what would become of her and Goku. She wondered if Goku was willing to share the same role as her: future parents. She had asked him this, and his reaction both worried Chi-Chi and made her doubt if he even knew what she was talking about.

Goku was a naïve person, but he wasn't stupid. He wasn't the smartest person around, but he still had the ability to understand and learn. Chi-Chi knew this. There was no reason to underestimate him or think twice about what could be holding him back. But, doubt crept into Chi-Chi's mind somewhere.

She doubted if Goku understood what she meant exactly. The possibility of conceiving and raising a child was overwhelming and life-changing. Still…

Chi-Chi wanted to know. She wanted to see if Goku had thought about it. She wasn't expecting an answer right away, but she needed to hear if Goku had considered it or not. Goku was already making several parts of her dream come true. Would he go even further to complete her dream and make her a mother? The route to motherhood was tricky.

Chi-Chi felt her cheeks warm up at the thought of this. Making love can be awkward sometimes, and not knowing what's to come can be good and bad. Or so that's what she had heard. Still, she guessed it was enjoyable on its own. And it would be perfect to enjoy that with Goku and him alone.

Chi-Chi turned over and sighed. Why do I worry like this? She thought morosely. I vowed to wait for Goku, but at times, it's like I'll explode with these feelings… Why do I feel so wrong inside? Am I just being selfish?

She thought of Goku's reaction to her question. It scared her. Goku was completely surprised and then very confused. That was one source of Chi-Chi's doubt.

Kami, he has no idea what I'm saying! She had thought fearfully. But then, Goku seemed to be in deep thought. Perhaps he did know, but it was a matter of did he want to? Thus, this led Chi-Chi to her current situation. She was left helpless, only wondering what Goku could be thinking. She didn't think it was the wrong time to talk about it. Eventually, married couples or couples that are to be married face the question of conceiving a child: Should we?

And sometimes, waiting was the hardest thing to do. Waiting for a dream's beginning was hard. But she knew she shouldn't press.

***

Meanwhile,the wedding was being prepared in an orderly fashion, and the Ox-King was supervising, always making sure everything was perfect. He also announced the news to the kingdom and had servants running back and forth as he hurried them.

"Faster, faster!"

"Is that ironed and pressed? It is not! See to it!"

"You call that clean and washed? I've seen floors cleaner than that! Fix it!"

"The wedding draws near! Make sure everything is spotless!"

These were just a few of the things the Ox-King said to his hardworking servants. The servants had no time to rest. All they could do was make sure every detail was perfect. They each had different jobs, such as handling the food, clothes, and decorations. A few servants were helping Goku with the wardrobe right now.

One of servants, Soba, beamed at Goku as he showed him several strips of clothes. "I've carefully selected only the finest materials for your wedding garments, Sir Goku. Which of these colors do you like? Feel the material and tell me which is the most comfortable for you. I will make the finest weddings garments!"

There were bright and dark colored strips, some of them silky and others made of cotton or wool. There were many selections to choose from, but there wasn't a lot of time to look, as another servant, Kamon, dragged Goku to his section. "There will plenty of time to choose the colors and materials later on, Master Goku," he said. "I need to measure you so I know just the right length, height and width."

Goku raised an eyebrow. "I suppose. The last time I checked, I think I was around five foot something…"

Kamon raised his eyebrow also. "I highly doubt that. The princess is only five feet and six inches tall and she only comes up to your chest. You've grown since you've been away. You must close or even beyond six feet tall."

"Well, you can't measure and make the garments if you don't let Sir Goku choose what colors and materials he wants to wear," Soba interrupted.

"And YOU can't even get started on making the garments if we don't know how long, wide and tall the materials are supposed to be," Kamon countered.

Goku sighed. He didn't think he had gotten this much attention ever in his life. It wasn't a big deal to him really. He just wanted to settle all wedding preparations. He covered his ears, as he didn't want to hear Kamon and Soba arguing over what should be done first. Their loyalty to him was nice, but the arguing didn't need to take place. Goku had a sense that they were trying to impress him somehow. He rolled his eyes as he still heard their arguments even when his ears were covered. When he glanced away, he noticed the door to the room opened, and a smile appeared on his face.

He was glad for an interruption for the argument. "Talim," he greeted. "What brings you here?"

The preteen messenger girl strode into the room and bowed. "Good day, sirs. Goku, the emperor sent me to fetch you. He's arranged some kind of meeting for you and the princess. He says it's urgent."

Excellent, a reason to leave the squabbling behind. Goku looked at Talim. "Well, if it's that important, then we shouldn't keep him waiting." Talim nodded, and the two left the room, leaving behind the servants who were too busy arguing to notice otherwise. Talim led Goku to the courtoom and stood outside the doors. "I'll wait for you until the meeting is over," she said.

Goku joined Chi-Chi and the Ox-King, who let the couple know that it was their duty to write wedding invitations to the people. Then some messengers, including Talim, would deliver them to the nobles to read to their families and friends. The two got to work, Chi-Chi quickly and efficiently, and Goku carefully and thoughtfully. Chi-Chi attempted to make small talk with Goku, but found him to be distracted, as if he were thinking of something. After the two were done, Goku gathered the invitations and gave them to Talim, who left with a new task at hand. As Goku began to walk away, he heard Chi-Chi's voice stopping him. "Hey, Goku..."

He turned around and looked at Chi-Chi curiously. She looked at him with concerned eyes, her voice soft with worry. "You seemed like you were thinking of something back there, and you seemed to be somewhere else when I was trying to talk to you... Is there something wrong?"

Goku shook his head. "It's nothing..."

"Goku, I--" she began to gently urge him, but he interrupted with a quick kiss to her forehead. "I'll tell you later, alright?"

Chi-Chi frowned, and reluctantly let it go for the time being. "Alright..." She turned away to go see her father, wondering when later was.

***

That afternoon, Goku and Chi-Chi, along with a group of woodsmen, were working on Grandpa Gohan's house, replacing and repairing what was broken, and adding onto the home. Also along to help were Talim and Hisuke, the former making lunch for all the hard workers. She did not seem to notice that Chi-Chi barely ate what she had made for her. She didn't know how preoccupied Chi-Chi was, nor the reason why.

But Chi-Chi knew. She sighed as she stared at her lunch in her lap, her thoughts on Goku. Again she had tried subtly to talk with him, but their conversation never went past "Would you hand that to me? Thank you" and "Please don't overwork yourself, alright?"

When Goku took a break for lunch, she thought she had another chance to talk to him, but the men were at his side, talking and laughing away as they ate. No point in ruining the comradery, she figured glumly. But after it was time to go back to work, she thought it wasn't going to happen anyway...he would've approached her by now, wouldn't he...?

Chi-Chi pretended to keep busy with her work, and sighed dismally as she glanced at Goku. Why was he being so distant? Maybe I asked the question too early, she thought. But it had to have been asked sometime.. What's wrong, Goku?

On the roof of the house, Goku was working with Hisuke in replacing the shingles. Goku was determined and fully immersed in the task, a mallet in his hand and a few nails sticking out of his mouth. He didn't realize Chi-Chi was looking in his direction, but Hisuke did, and smiled at her. He looked up at Goku curiously as he handed him another shingle. "Say, Goku?"

"Mmm?" he mused, setting the shingle evenly in its spot. He reached up and took a nail from between his teeth.

"The princess was looking at us just now. She probably wants to make sure you don't fall off the roof or something, haha. But the view is great from up here, isn't it? You can see parts of the kingdom for miles." He paused and shaded his eyes with his hand as he gazed outward. "Can you believe all this and more will be yours when you're the emperor? And on top of that you're about to be married to the prettiest girl in the whole country! You're so lucky."

Goku just smiled, thinking to himself. Yeah, I guess I am really lucky.

"Uh... Goku?" Hisuke glanced at him nervously, fumbling with the shingles he was holding. "How'd ya...um, how did you get such a pretty girl to like you anyway?"

Goku made eye contact with him at last, and explained, "I didn't do much in the beginning, honestly. Chi-Chi fell in love with my innocence and pure heart, and I kept a promise I made to her long ago. Women are all about the heart."

"The heart, huh?" Hisuke repeated curiously, a thoughtful expression on his face. "So if I'm a good person and have a pure heart, then girls will like me?"

"Girls? Or one in particular?" Goku asked.

"Huh?"

Goku smiled and said evenly, "I just thought you were interested in a certain girl. Talim is pretty cute."

Hisuke blinked in surprise, and blushed furiously, turning away. "Oh..yeah, right..."

After the house was fixed up and the men began to head home for the day, Hisuke dashed through the woods to a meadow at the end of the river. There he diligently searched amongst the many flowers blooming in the sunset, and picked what he thought was the most beautiful one. Then he ran back to the work site, just in time to see Chi-Chi and Talim leaving. "Talim!" he called out to her.

Chi-Chi and Talim turned at that voice, and both seemed puzzled to see Hisuke running towards them breathlessly, waving at them frantically. "Goodness, what does he want now?" Talim mumbled with a shake of her head.

Chi-Chi shrugged. "Maybe he lost the group and..." she trailed off and smiled mischievously when she saw what Hisuke was carrying. "I think I heard someone calling me." She skipped ahead, and thought she heard Talim say something, but continued on.

"Hey, Princess, wait..." Talim frowned, realizing she wasn't coming back, and grimaced when she turned around to see Hisuke standing close to her.

"Haa...ah, hey....hello there...Talim," Hisuke panted, hiding the flower behind his back. He stood up straight and wiped his damp forehead with his free hand. Still red-faced, he smiled cheerfully at her.

"Uh, are you alright?" Talim wanted to know.

Hisuke nodded. "How are you today? That was a great meal you cooked today. Lunch was delicious."

Talim blinked in surprise. "Thanks...um, what were you doing when all the men left?"

"Just getting something done," he replied carefully. "By the way you look pretty today."

Talim crossed her arms and cocked her head to the side, looking at him warily. "Did you fall off the roof and land on your head?"

Hisuke could understand why she was being defensive, but honestly he was trying to turn over a new leaf and be nicer to her. "Of course not. I'm just saying I think you're pretty."

Talim remained unconvinced, and raised an eyebrow curiously as she saw only one of his arms was at his side. "What's that behind your back?"

Hisuke grinned and brought forth a bright marigold. "I picked it just for you." Suddenly, he cried out and released the flower to grasp the back of his head, where Talim had just slapped him. He stuttered and swayed, swearing under his breath. He glared at her, rubbing the back of his head gingerly. "You senseless dummy!" he blurted. "What was that for??"

"That's more like you," Talim retorted, stepping away from him.

"Damn it, Talim," he swore again, bending over to pick up the flower. "Can't a guy be nice without being punished for it?"

"Not you," Talim replied. "You're not acting normal."

Hisuke sighed and glanced at her shyly. "I know this isn't like me...but I'm trying to change. I don't want you to hate me, because...well, I don't hate you."

All of Talim's defenses fell at his words, and she uncrossed her arms, looking at him in bewilderment. "You don't?" She shook her head. "You're lying..."

Hisuke shook his head and extended the flower out to her again. "Please..." He saw her look away and sighed in exasperation. "Gosh, what does a guy have to do to get a girl to like him? Apologize for being such a jerk in the past and give her a thousand flowers?"

Talim smiled, her heart melting at his words. Perhaps he was trying to change for the better and win her hand... She stepped close to him and kissed his cheek, thoroughly surprising him as she took the flower. "Maybe," she whispered.

***

Goku was lying down on the grass in the courtyard one cool night, staring up at the moon. He had tried to fall asleep hours ago, but couldn't. So he decided to come outside and relax under the stars. He had quiet time to himself for a couple of hours, until he heard a noise suddenly. His ears picked up the sound of something rustling through the grass. He was about to turn over when he heard the sound of someone sniffling. He looked up and immediately flipped onto his stomach at the sight of his very woeful fiancee.

"Chi..." he whispered in awe, trailing off as he saw her cross her arms and hang her head. He gazed at her in confusion as she began to cry softly. He rose to his feet and stood before her. "Chi-Chi, what's wrong? What are you doing out here at this hour?"

Chi-Chi couldn't answer for a minute, slightly trembling as she felt hot tears flow down her cheeks.

"Chi-" Goku began, reaching out to touch her gently. Chi-Chi flinched and finally blurted, "Why have you been ignoring me?! Don't you think I want to be with you?!"

Goku was surprised at her words, and he replied softly, "I want to be with you too."

Chi-Chi wiped at her eyes, trying to push aside the fact that she had barely heard from him for a whole week. "Then why haven't you said anything?" she whispered.

Goku knew what she was hinting at, and his eyes dropped from her face. "I need to think in peace."

She winced slightly, her voice empty. "Oh, so I've been a pain?"

Goku shook his head. "No," he said gently. "I mean, I just need to be alone..."

Chi-Chi was too sad to be angry with him. She couldn't bring herself to look at him, and stopped trying to dry her face of her tears. Her voice was quiet with pain and earnest, "I just don't want to have to wait forever for your answer. When you keep everything inside you... when you keep all kinds of things to yourself... it makes me feel like you don't trust me enough to say it in front of me..."

A couple finds their way

A couple loses their way...

To be continued...

Chapter Twenty-Eight: A Secret No More