Chapter 5

Ever since I received my portable breathing machine, I used all my time to build up my muscles that weakened since my lack of mobility. It was in fact frustrating that my legs wobbled after twenty minutes on being them. I had to take a lot of resting periods as I trained myself.

I struggled, wincing as I pushed myself. The breathing machine wasn't quick enough to stabilize my breathing just as of yet. I was admiring the view my room had as I stood. I coughed as I looked at the outskirts of a broken city. I leaned against the railing as I stared off to the distance.

West City, that was where I was. I've actually never heard of the city before, which surprised Bulma when I confessed that fact. Which made sense as I looked at the ongoing city. I concluded that I lived pretty far from here as West City seemed scarred by the two vile being. I hunched over as I squeezed my eyes tight when they came into my mind.

The putrid scent of the burning man that I had witnessed stuck with me, spinning me back to the memory. Terrified eyes gazing upon the dead man that laid in a way that should be almost impossible for a human body to twist. No movement from the corpse except steam coming off the hole that had gapped in the middle of the chest. Those empty milk colored eyes staring into the abyss.

Turning around, only to have seen two silhouette forms grinning. Their toothy smiles only meant that they were about to pounce on their next meal. Being stricken with fear to the point that I couldn't move as I watched the blonde monster lift her arm so that she could kill me next.

….Kill me next….

I sucked in a deep breath, bringing myself back to reality. I was safe now, in the presence of the Brief's household. My nails dug into the chipped windowsill. I was shaking in my spot as my body was sticky from the sweat pouring from, well, my pores.

It was all just a memory. I was alive.

All because of a mysterious golden hero…..

I owed that person my life, literally. I took a couple of deep breaths, trying to calm myself from the horrendous flashbacks. I lifted my head as I stared back at the city.

It was obvious that the city I was currently in, wasn't the first to be demolished into scrap metal.

And I knew it wouldn't be the last either.

The door swung wide open, causing me to jump. My heart raced from the sudden noise as I whirled around to see who was invading my privacy. Gohan stood there as the breeze from the open window, that I was looking out of mind you, waved his hair. His spikes slightly ruffled as they went back to their original gravity defying place. I gazed enviously as my own long olive hair blew right into my face at that same moment.

Lemme tell you something right here, right now, hair does not taste great at all. I hurriedly tried to put the tangled mess back in it's place. It was irritating as my scalp was quickly parted in a way that didn't belong from the wind. It left my body in discomfort for those few moments. I spat out the other pieces as I shuffled to get the other fly aways. My ears burned as Gohan chortle at my position.

I wrung my hands together as I gave a quick bowed to the older man.

"I'm sorry Gohan-sama, I wasn't expecting you." I quickly rushed out as I shut my eyes tight from embarrassment. I peaked one eye open to see his surprised expression.

"Gohan...Sama?" His voiced went to a higher octave, expressing his confusion.

"Oh!" I sprawled , as I went into a new sense of frantics. Did they not use honorifics in this part of the country? I bowed my head again. "Father always told me to respect my superiors, especially if they were males."

My parents instilled me with as much manners as they could, which was understandable in their line of work. My shoulders slumped as I thought about their career.

My parents held a funeral home, where they prepared the dead for their crossing to the next life as we buried them. I had to be extra nice to the guest as they were in a state of grieving. Mother always told me that, sometimes some people just need a little sunshine to uplift their spirits even if it was only a little bit. So I was suppose to be the guest's sunshine as they used our service, just so they could be reminded that there were simple joys in life and that they were in fact still alive.

My mouth taste sour from the irony of becoming someone else's sunshine to becoming my own darkest cloud.

"Kit-kat," The new nickname was still foreign to my ears, so my head automatically went up to look at him in the eyes. "I am not your superior, or anything along that line. I'm not here to command you, I'm just here to help you. So please, just call me Gohan."

My jaw slacked, my eyes bulge. This was the first time that someone didn't want me to use honorifics on them. I franticly flung my arms, "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to offend you or anything like that! I was just trying to be respec-" Before I could finish my sentence , Gohan was kneeling in front of me in a flash. His face was sincere as he placed a hand on my shoulder, halting all actions.

"I understand, for you did no offense. I don't want you to feel obliged to use such titles because I am a man, or because I am older. It sounds like I'm some sort of dictator," He chuckled humorlessly, as if he was reminiscing some sort of past experience . "Instead, I want to earn your respect because it was something I did, alright?"

I blinked my murky brown eyes owlishly at him, as I slowly nodded my head. I was, in other words, shocked. For him to not want me to use the honorific 'sama' for my sake was, well, it never happened before.

Father surely wouldn't know what to think of this man.

"Now, the real reason I came in here, is because I was worried." He chuckled again. My eyes widened at the statement. I probably looked like a doe to him considering how wide my eyes were stretching. "I know you are recovering and that it is going to take some time, but I would have thought you'd leave your room more since you have the pocket breathing machine."

I guiltily looked down in shame. It was true, even though I hated staying in the room I just couldn't bring myself to leave it really either. I was scared that I was going to fall because of my weak muscles and break something, and just put myself in danger somehow. No matter how unlikely that it would happen, It was still a paranoid thought that didn't go away. I wouldn't tell Gohan that of course, as he was still a stranger and it was something that was extremely embarrassing that I wouldn't want to the world to know. Even if it was just one person.

My mind zoomed back to the two silhouetted figures, standing over me.

Fear just reeks off her.

"Kit-kat?" Gohan shook me, concern written on his face.

I tried to keep my face blank as I remained silent. He placed more pressure onto my shoulder, which cause me to wince.

"Ow!" I scowled at him as I jerked away. It was like a pinch, short and a bit painful. Gohan appeared to be apologetic, "I-I'm sorry. I don't know my own strengths most of the time." He said shamefully. He gritted his teeth as he turned his face away.

Didn't know his own strength?

I rolled my shoulder as it still stung. Instead of becoming upset, I gave him a cheeky grin. Except I didn't pull it off like the way I had pictured it in my mind. Turns out my cheeks are a little bit too cheeky. Fine, call it what you will. I had chubby cheeks.

Like a chipmunk.

Or a squirrel storing nuts for the winter.

Ignoring how awkward my face felt, "Heh, wish I could say the same about myself. I mean look at these studs." I posed , flexing my non-existing bicep muscles.

Gohan laughed, which made me quick to smile myself. Pride swell in my stomach as I finally got more than a chuckle from the man.

"You know, if you want, I could train you to become stronger."

Those words stopped my world. I froze, taking in what he had said. I blinked, processing it like a computer.

"How could you make me stronger?" I inquired , studying him closely.

"I am a martial arts master. I could give you a few lessons in self-defense. I am already training Trunks the same."

"You mean Bulma's son?"

He nodded, as I thought about it. Trunks was my age, or at least close to my age. If he could do it, why couldn't I?

Except it would take a lot of hard work. Would I be willing to put my body into so much pain? What would I gain?

Revenge.

I instantly pictured a chibi me kicking the people who murdered my parents butts. I shuddered as I felt queasy. I ran my fingers through my green hair, let the grease sleek through my fingertips.

"You don't need to make your decision today , but if you are interested , we will start tomorrow morning out back." Gohan told me. I watched him take his leave as I sighed in my room. I placed my chin at the palm of my hands My fingers drummed against my cheek, wondering if I could really get stronger. I faced the broken city as it lightly wailed.

I wiggled my fingers , stretching them out as I popped my knuckles and wrists. I stared at myself in the bathroom mirror, trying to prepare myself for the struggles that I would face. I wore grey leggings that were made of stretchy material with a loose white long sleeve shirt. I placed my olive hair into a messy bun which didn't feel secure at all, but I didn't know how to properly make a bun. My Mother had always done my hair into different styles. My stomach dropped as I looked away from my reflection.

I missed her dearly.

It had been over a month since they had died, yet the pain was still as raw. My throat swelled, even to the point it was constricting my breathing. I wouldn't let a tear slip. I wouldn't cry. I had to be strong.

I clenched my fist as I stormed out of the bathroom. I had decided to take Gohan upon his deal to make me stronger, letting my sorrow motivate me. I slowed down when I reached the bottom of the stairs, trying to control myself. I tip-toed my way to the Brief's backyard, feeling slightly apprehensive. Who knew what all I would have to?

I was honestly a bit nervous now that I was forcing myself to actually do something after a whole month of lumping around.

I spotted Trunks across the yard stretching. I cleared my throat, digging the tip of my foot in the ground. He looked up, and smiled. I straightened my back as I swallowed back a blush. Yet I still stay silent.

Gohan landed in front of Trunks, his feet flattening the grass instantly. My eyes bulged out as I fell backwards on my bum out of surprise.

Where did he come from?! I wondered, as I was stunned from the sudden appearance. Gohan glanced my direction, taking in my shocked state. Realizing I was embarrassing myself, I scrambled on all fours to stand up. My cheeks stained red, as I adjusted my mask. I trotted a few feet to get closer to the duo.

"I see that you decided to show up." Gohan said, crossing his arms. I puffed out my chest, as I nodded furiously. Gohan gave me a curt nod back, acknowledging my willingness to give it a shoot. I deflated as my shoulders slumped.

"First lesson, endurance. Kitsue, I want you to run the compound 20 times. Trunks, I want you to do 50. After this warm up, we will move on."

Twenty?! I was taken back from the amount. I glanced over to Trunks to warmed up a little bit. As I watched him, I looked down at my own feet. He was stepping in place, like a marcher in a marching band. I tried my best to mimicking him, which turned out to be a failure. I ended up eating a plate full of dirt. Luckily, my mask actually prevented me from tasting the dirt, but that is besides the point.

Grumbling as I stood back up, I decided that I didn't need to warm up. Psh. Those were for losers.

So I set off.

I didn't even make it through twenty laps.

I had a long way to go.