In Search of Oceans
Period 5: A Gathering.
The morning arrives as Dende walks along the edge of the lookout with his hands behind his back, his eyes to the floor. All he can think about is what Piccolo had said.
"Why does he always leave me guessing? Why doesn't he just be clear?" Dende asks himself, unable to find an answer to his own question. As he walks across the marble floor he spots Mr. Popo watering the garden, more specifically his seasonally planted Petunias, a gift from Korin last season with strict instructions of when to plant.
Popo did his best to abide by Korin's instruction, and has been rewarded generously for his efforts. Blooms of pink, purple, white, and even red flowers that glow vividly in the sun. A strange phenomenon would take over during the night; they close up like tight cocoons, as if sleeping. Reopening at dawn. Sitting outside one evening he watched them, sitting alone on the cold tile floor. Fascinated as one of the white blooms started unraveling its soft, velvety petals to the rising sun.
Dende stops pacing and walks to the edge of the flower bed, watching Popo work. Attentively watering each flower, careful not to drown them; he stops after finishing the third row and looks at Dende.
"They have grown so very well Dende. I think they like you very much because they never open when I watch them." Popo says and continues watering. Dende smirks, walking closer.
"Korin knew what he was doing when he gave you those seeds; they are the most beautiful flowers to ever grow upon the lookout." Dende declares. Dende's mood suddenly sources, his thoughts returning to Piccolo.
"You know Mr. Popo, Piccolo was just here." He mentions, staring at the water dripping from Popo's watering can. Popo looks up, surprised.
"Really? I did not see him. How is he Dende, what did he have to say on this visit?" he inquires. Dende is locked in an absent stare, unwilling to divulge the reason for Piccolos visit, so as not to concern Popo.
"No its nothing Popo; he is well he just came to see Savarna and said something about keeping her warm for some strange reason. Then he left as suddenly as he came, huh you know what he is like." Dende explains, breaking into a smile.
"I agree, that does sound most unusual. It does not mean its something to not consider, I will be sure to keep her as warm as possible the next few nights." Popo assures and heads back to the main building, leaving the watering can behind.
Dende watches him leave, in as little as a week Popo had become attached to the baby as though she were his own. Understandably, considering he made it his personal duty to see that all her requirements are met. Dende may have saved her, but had nor the knowledge or commitment to spare for her. To him all that precious time and mental energy is used for guarding the earth and its people. Dende rubs his fleshy green chin in thought.
That room is so large. There can be allot of hidden dangers that a child could find, how are we going to make it suitable for her? He wonders, walking back toward the building. And colours, what colours do human babies find stimulating? Namekian children find red and yellow mesmerizing, assisting with their mental development. Who could I talk to that would know about things like this?... Maybe I should just let Popo take care of it a He reaches the double doors, pushing only the left one open and stepping inside.
Walking down the corridor he passes by the door to the hyperbolic time chamber, it has been years since the door was last opened; the last to use it was Goku and Gohan. He continues down the corridor, reaching Savarna's bedroom, he stop at the door. He holds his breath as he turns the long smooth wooden handle. Placing his other hand against the doors oak surface he slowly pushes it inwards, opening it. He pokes his head inside; the room is quiet apart from the rustling of cloth. Savarna is awake and looking around the room, as if approving of her surroundings.
Around her the extra blankets, Popo must have been here moments earlier, no wonder she is awake. Dende walks inside, closing the door gently behind him.
"Hey, what are you up to?" he says to her, reaching the edge of the bed. At first she doesn't seem to acknowledge him, upon hearing his voice she turns her eyes toward him, she uttered a small squeak as he walks closer.
"Ha-ha you're cute, my names Dende remember. D e n d e!" Sounding out his name to the baby Dende sits on the bed. Savarna stares at him silently. Dende continues to sound out his name, realizing it's pointless. Savarna's attentions go back to the room to, things like the dark green and the plain white pillows around her are of more interest.
She looks healthy, maybe Piccolo was wrong after all he hopes.
"Well little one you get some sleep. Mr. Popo will be back when its time to eat." Dende says. Reaching down he places his hand onto her head, stroking her fine red hair. He leaves, closing the door gently behind him.
Days after Trunks beat the living daylights out of his younger sister Bra, who left the chamber with a little less dignity, but allot more sense. He decides to take a trip to see Goten before the tournament, which starts in three days. Taking a day off from work in the lab. Trunks took the long trip to the Son house, where he hopes to find Goten. Not thrilled at being blackmailed into the tournament by his father, being threatening to have your allowance taken away is a big gamble at his age. The lab tech job just isn't cutting expenses the way he would have liked. It will be good to seen everyone again. Chichi, Pan and of course Goku. Though Goten is his main reason for visiting, he would never pass up the chance to see Gohan again. Gohan, now a scholar, and married to Videl, didn't't have time to fight anymore. Meaning he hasn't entered the tournament this year; much to his mother Chichi's relief. At least Goten was allowed to enter. You could actually say he forced to compete by Goku, which Chichi disapproved of greatly, but went along with.
Lost in though, the trip didn't take as long as he thought. Landing softly on the stone pathway leading to the Son house, he looks up at the sand coloured two story structure. Many years of his childhood spent playing it its walls. He walks along the path, past the brick plant boxes to reach the door. He raises his hand, knocking twice with his knuckles. Receiving no response.
"Hello! Anyone home? Goten you up there?" He calls up toward the second floor.
Waiting he looks around the yard casually, an air car is parked in the driveway that he didn't notice upon first landing. The doorknob turns and the door opens gently, Trunks turns around to greet who he only assumed would be Goten. However, there is no one on the inside of the door. Trunks is confused at first until a girlish giggle makes him look down. Little five-year-old rascal and amiable fighter Pan, stand in the doorway looking up at Trunks all a giggle.
"Pan? What are you?" He began but then it clicks; the air car belongs to Gohan.
"Sorry Pan, how are you doing there kid? Man you have grown an inch since I last saw you training with your grandfather." Trunks says, kneeling down onto one knee in front of the girl he measures her height with his hand. Pan smiles proudly, holding her head up high, even though she only saw him three days earlier.
"Thanks! I'm good Trunks whatya doin here?" She asks, bubbly as ever. Dressed in her little red gi as usual. Only today Videl must have insisted she war a small red bow, fastened on top of her head.
"I came to see your uncle Goten, is he home now?" Trunks asks, still down on one knee he looks over Pans head but sees no one in the corridor behind her. As Pan Parts her little lips to respond, a voice overshadows her.
"Who is it Panny? I told you to wait for Mommy or me before you answer the...Trunks!" Exclaims Gohan's; arriving at the door. Glad it is isn't another salesman trying to buy the property from them.
"Gohan, you're here!" Trunks replies. Noticing Gohan is dressed extra smartly. Wearing a suit and tie, it must be a special occasion. He suddenly feels under dressed in his tracksuit and worn black tank top with his old C.Corp Jacket. Gohan gently brushes past Pan and to the porch.
"What brings you here the second time in only a week, I might add. A record if you ask me!" Gohan jokes scratching the back of his neck.
"Ha-ha, I came to see Goten as you might have guessed. I wanted to talk to him about what he is doing after the tournament, is he around at all?" Trunks asks.
Pan begins pulling on Gohan's pants suit, trying to get his attention. Gohan leans down, picking her up and cradling her in the crook of his arm, balancing herself with her hand on his shoulder.
"Yeah he is here. Come on in and have some lunch with us, we have a lot to catch up on" Gohan invites, slapping Trunks on the back, motioned him inside the house. Trunks holds back.
"I don't want to be trouble or anything, you guys look like your having a family thing," he says, not wanting to interrupt the gathering inside. Gohan laughs again slapping Trunks on the back, walking him inside.
"Are you kidding me? You are like a brother to me and Goten, a son to dad and mom & Videl love you to death. So that makes you family Trunks now get inside and no more excuses. We are just having lunch" Gohan emphasizes, closing the door behind them.
"And don't let my suit fool you, I have another meeting this afternoon to go too, that's all" He adds. Trunks nods understandingly.
"Yeah I felt a bit under dressed; thank god it's nothing fancy" Trunks expresses with relief.
Gohan puts Pan down.
"Go back and finish lunch hun, then you can go train with grandpa" He tells her, Pan obligingly trots off back to the dining room. Trunks is lost in thought, taking a moment to look around at the old Son residence; it hasn't changed in years. He can smell the warm tantalizing roast, Chichi must have worked up a storm in the kitchen, with Goku around it's a daily occurrence. Also voices can be heard, voices of laugher and good times.
"Come on sport, you know the way." Gohan says, walking ahead of Trunks into the dining room. Trunks follows slowly, looking at all the pictures on the wall of the family. There is a large group shot that he, his mother, and his father are all in, all except Vegeta are smiling. He stops at the large close up shot of Pan hanging above the phone, he smiles, and she is such a strong kid.
"Hey everyone, look who decided drop in for a visit." Gohan announces and Trunks enters the dining room. Everyone's faces light up with smiles.
"Trunks! Hey it's great to see you again." Goku exclaims. Dropping his fork and pushing his chair out from the table. Walking over he gives Trunks a brief manly hug.
"Uh thanks, it great to see all of you guys again too" Trunks says, embarrassed by Goku's actions.
"Hey man I was wondering if you were going to come over before the tournament, what's up?" Goten stands from his seat as Goku walk back to his seat.
"Good to see you Trunks" Videl waves from her plate.
"Trunks, you must stay for lunch now that your hear." Chichi says, greeting him with a kiss on the cheek. Pulling up an extra seat. Both OX king and Goten shift so Trunks can fit at the overcrowded table.
"Thank you Chichi" Trunks says and turns to Goten, trying to ignore Goku's eating methods across from him.
"Yeah I came to talk to you about the night after the tournament is over, did you want to do anything, like hang out anywhere?" Trunks asks.
"Trunks, take this." Videl passes a plate filled with food. He simply can't refuse Chichi's cooking. He accepts the plate and placed it down in front of him.
"Thank you Videl, this looks amazing." He says and turns back to Goten.
"Gee I don't know. I have that date after the tournament, you know that girl I had to cancel with. Well, we rescheduled so that we could have it that night." Goten explains, piercing the end of his fork into a slice of roast. Trunks forearm rest on the tabletop as he picks up his fork. Started with the oven-roasted potatoes with rosemary dressing.
"Mmm, I had a date for the day after with Olivia. Maybe I could reschedule it for that night, so we can double and go somewhere good!" Trunks suggests. Taking a mouthful of potatoes.
"Mmmmm uh huh!" Goten agrees with a mouth full of food. Swallowing it all down
"Yeah bud great ideas, ill let Virginia know about it. I just know she will love the idea." Goten ads.
Gohan licks his lips.
"So Trunks, how have your parents and younger sister been? I haven't seen them in ages. I heard your dad is entering the tournament with you." Gohan asks. Trunks swallows before answering. Sitting beside Gohan is Pan, eagerly eating her mushrooms with Videl assisting her. Not wanting to let on about his fathers blackmailing him. Trunks nods nostalgically, his father's reasons were the same as always. Goten was entering, the son of Goku. Meaning the son on Vegeta must also enter.
"Some things just never change Gohan." He Replies.