Disclaimer: No own.
This feeling.
He knows this feeling. Being in a house with three cats he knew when one of them was watching him. Today though, he wasn't with his cats. He was nowhere near his house, let alone in a house with any cats. Someone was watching him though, and so he pulled the covers over his face to help.
It worked for a few minutes however, someone was still staring at him. Mornings never agreed with Gohan, especially before noon thirty. Reaching up on his headboard he grabbed what he assumed was an alarm clock. He pulled it down, and noticed that it was almost seven in the morning.
Letting out a moan, Gohan put the alarm clock back on the headboard, sat up, and looked over at the person with a watchful eye.
Goten had his elbows on Gohan's bed, looking up at the not fully awake adult. Gohan slowly blinked, trying to get himself to be semi awake.
"Yeah," he managed to mumble, one eye open and one eye closed.
"Nothing," Goten said, wide awake. "I'm just watching you sleep that's all."
"Why?"
"Cause I wanna."
"Why?" Goten shrugged his shoulders. "Are your parents up?"
"Not yet," Goten answered. Of course. "Hey, now that you're up we can have a snack before breakfast!"
"I'm not really…fully awake." He was able to fall asleep about four-ish. "One more hour, and I'll get up."
"Okay! You can fall back asleep, and I'll keep an eye on you."
"Why," Gohan moaned.
"Cause I wanna," Goten repeated. Gohan knew he wasn't going to win this. There wasn't enough tea in the world to keep him awake.
"Is there a tea your mom makes to help wake her up," Gohan asked.
"Oh! I know the one you're talking about! It's in a red box!"
"Can you make me that tea?"
"Mommy doesn't want me near the stove to boil the water. I can get the teabag!"
"Get the tea bag." Gohan's arm weakly motioned near the kitchen. Goten nodded, but didn't move. "How come you're not getting the teabag?"
"I'm waiting for you to get up."
"Ugh." Gohan threw his head back. "Goten, it's way too early to be up at this time. Aren't you still tired?"
"Nope."
Gohan threw the covers off the bed. His head fell forward, now looking at his pajama bottoms. With another moan, Gohan dragged his feet to the edge of the bed.
"We'll…make tea or something," Gohan said, forcing his body to stand. Goten smiled brightly, and ran out of the room. Gohan followed, but stopped by the entrance of the door. He leaned his head on the wall, and found himself drifting back to sleep.
"C'mon! I got the teabag," Goten cheered as he grabbed Gohan by the arm, and pulled him out of the room.
"Going, going," Gohan said, raising his head up to see exactly where he was going. Goten dragged him to the kitchen, and took the teapot out of the cabinet. He filled it up with water, and put it on the stove. Gohan tried to turn it on, but it wasn't lighting. "Stupid piece of-"
Gohan whacked the stove, and the flame came on. He placed his head on one of the cabinet doors, failing miserably to stay awake.
"So what do you want to do today," Goten asked. He jumped on the counter so he could be near Gohan. "We can play with our toys, color, or watch the news! What do you wanna do Boss? Huh? Huh?"
"Snooze button," Gohan moaned out, patting Goten on the head.
"I'm not your alarm clock silly! Oh! Maybe we can ask my parents if we can go ice skating today! Doesn't that sound fun Boss?"
"Yeah fun…fun."
"We can invite Trunks over too!"
"Yeah, bring him…"
"I bet Daddy has some extra skates you can use. Hey Boss, have you ever gone ice skating before? Are you good at it? How many times have you fallen? I went ice skating a few times last year. My dad is not that good. Were your parents good at ice skating? How many times did you go as a kid?"
Annoyance.
Gohan bit his lower lip to hold back a scream. The lack of sleep from the previous days were catching up with him, that and the drinks he had last night/early this morning. He wasn't drunk, or hungover, but the alcohol was a good sleeping aid.
The teapot started to whistle, and Gohan somehow managed to turn off the burner. He lifted up the teapot, and began to pour. Goten quickly reacted, and put a cup, with teabag, to catch the water. The water was filling the cup, and Goten had to move Gohan's hand to stop. Gohan put the kettle on the burner, and forced his body to the kitchen table. He pulled out a chair, and plopped in it. His head leaned back, and he started to snore.
Goten put the cup of tea on the table, and stared at Gohan. Oblivious to the fact that Goten was watching him, Gohan continued to snore, and his chair started to lean back. Instead of stopping the chair so Gohan wouldn't fall backwards, Goten grabbed the teacup, and watched as Gohan hit the ground.
The noise startled both Goku and Chi-Chi, and they quickly headed downstairs. As soon as they reached the bottom of the steps, they saw Gohan head between his knees, and both hands on his head over a nice, big, bump.
(Some time passes)
"Everyone is up now," Goten said, nothing but smiles on his face. Gohan held an ice pack to his head, a tear in the corner of his eye. Chi-Chi was preparing more tea as Goku decided to do one finger pushups. "Can we go ice skating today?"
"We'll see sweetie," Chi-Chi said with a yawn.
"I wouldn't mind going ice skating," Goku said. "Hey, maybe we can invite Vegeta and Bulma! Krillin too!"
"That does sound fun. We can extend Christmas another day by ice skating! I'll call everyone after breakfast."
Being a guest you really couldn't share your opinion. Head throbbing, Gohan adjusted his ice pack, wincing in pain. He was still tired, but the bump on the back of his head was keeping him up. Gohan looked over at Goten, who was, once again, staring at him.
"Can you please stop staring at me," Gohan kindly asked.
"But I like looking at you," Goten said, unmoving.
"Goten, it's rude to stare at people," Chi-Chi said, turning Goten's head away from Boss.
Finally!
"But Mom, I want to remember what he looks like so when he dies I'll remember him," Goten whined. Chi-Chi patted Goten on the head.
"Goten, Boss isn't going to die in a day. He has many years ahead of him. If you want a face to remember go look at your father. He dies often enough."
Goku quietly laughed at himself. Gohan sat there, a bit confused on Goten's explanation.
"Daddy always gets wished back from the dragonballs. Boss is going to die in si-"
"Of starvation," Gohan quickly interrupted, covering Goten's mouth. "Boy am I ever starving! Hey Goten, let's go in our room and pick out skating outfits!"
Gohan quickly stood up, hugging Goten around his waist, hand still covering Goten's mouth. Gohan quickly ran into the bedroom, and shut the door behind him. Goku stopped doing pushups, and looked at the door.
"Maybe Boss hit his head a little too hard," Chi-Chi said, picking up the ice pack on the floor.
Gohan had his back towards the door with Goten still in his grasp. He looked down at the child, who was struggling to break free. Gohan sighed, realizing that Goten must have over heard their conversation. How the hell do you explain this to a child?
Gohan carried Goten to his bed, and placed him beside himself. He ran his fingers through his hair, trying to find the words to say.
"Goten, I…" Gohan did not know what to say. Clearly the kid couldn't keep a secret. All the time Gohan has been there Goten kept spilling secrets, but it was okay because he knew Boss wouldn't say anything, "When you become an adult, there are adult responsibilities. One is wearing protection."
No wait, wrong topic!
"So you don't die," Goten asked.
Go with it.
"Yes. You see, I got into a bad accident because I wasn't wearing a seatbelt." So far so good. "And so I made a deal with the devil to continue to live for a few years."
"You made a deal with Dabura?"
Who?
"Yes! Yes I did!"
"Babadi too?"
What was this kid talking about?
"You see, since I didn't wear a seatbelt, and I was going to die, so I made a deal with Dabura. He gave me a mission to spread the word of…protection! Look both ways before crossing the street, stranger danger, watch your step or else you'll fall down a hole. Stuff like that!"
Gohan wasn't sure if Goten would buy it. He had a hard time believing himself.
"So…you're like a guardian angel or something," Goten asked. Gohan nodded. Goten was buying it! "But Dabura was evil! How can someone so evil make you do nice things?"
"He wanted to be nice just to see what it felt like?"
Goten sat there, thinking.
"I think I get it. Sometimes I take more than one snack when Mommy isn't looking. So how does my dad know you're a guardian angel?"
"Cause he likes dying. Listen, I have missions I need to complete and if you tell anyone what I truly am, Dabura will come out of the pits of hell, and send out demons to destroy the planet. So, you can keep a secret, right?"
"I thought Dabura was sent to heaven, and he's nice now?"
How was he supposed to explain this?
"Maybe it was his evil twin brother?"
In this world, anything and everything will come to Earth to destroy it. Gohan never believed in aliens, and he was proven wrong by being half an alien. Anything is possible!
"That makes total sense," Goten exclaimed. Oh thank God! "So this is a secret between you, me and Daddy?"
…
"Hey Goku, I need to see you in the room for a minute," Gohan shouted as he walked out of the room, Goten under his arm. "I just want to make sure our outfits don't' clash or anything." Gohan put Goten on the couch. "It will only take a few minutes," Gohan grabbed Goku by the arm "and I have to tell you my outfit is stunning!"
The door closed behind them. Chi-Chi turned towards the door.
"What on Earth," Chi-Chi said titling her head.
"He's talking to dad about protection," Goten said smiling. Chi-Chi dropped her spatula. "Don't worry Mommy, I'll always wear protection."
Chi-Chi passed out on the ground.
Children laughing, snow falling, a perfect winter day for ice skating. Krillin and 18 were holding Marron's hand as they skated, Trunks and Goten were racing each other while Bulma and Chi-Chi skated and chatted with one another. Goku was struggling to stay on his feet, and kept falling every time. Gohan and Vegeta stood by a tree, one drinking out of a flask while the other smoked a cigarette.
"You are a horrible liar."
"You're a horrible truther."
"I say it how it is."
"You can sugar coat a few things you know."
"Maybe if you grew a pair I wouldn't have to sugar coat anything."
"I can grow a pair, and unlike you my wife doesn't have control over them."
Vegeta growled, and handed Gohan the flask.
"I bet you're happy that you will never be married," Vegeta said folding his arms.
"You make it sound like a bad thing," Gohan said taking a sip from the flask. He looked out at the frozen lake, and saw Krillin and 18. Marron was smiling the whole entire time. "Marriage and kids don't seem so bad. You're happy, right?"
Vegeta looked over at Trunks and Goten. They began another race. First one to the snow wins. Trunks got a head start, Goten called him a cheater, and when Trunks noticed the snow getting closer he stopped. Goten, however, did not, and crashed into the snow. Trunks pointed and laughed.
"I guess that's what you call it." Gohan handed Vegeta back the flask. The two stood in silence, passing the flask back and forth. "When your time comes, I want your motorcycle."
"I already promised Owen he could have it."
"I'll change his mind."
"I'll be dead. You can do whatever you want."
Gohan watched Goku continue to stumble. Krillin skated over to help his friend, and ended up face first in the ice. 18 watched. Goten and Trunks started to race again, this time starting from the snow bank. Goten had the upper hand this time, getting a head start. Trunks lost his footing and fell, and Goten continued to skate. He looked back and saw Trunks on the ground. He stuck out his tongue.
Goten, who did not know how to stop, turned around and noticed the ice was near ending. Just a few feet away there was running water, and with everyone out of reach no one could stop what was happening. Gohan and Vegeta watched as Goten tried to stop, and instead went straight into the water.
Goku and Krillin tried to get up from the ice. Chi-Chi screamed as the water pulled Goten away. Gohan took off his jacket, and started running downstream.
"What are you doing," Vegeta yelled. He began to chase after Gohan and stopped.
Gohan dove in the water.
He brought his head above water, and fought against the current to reach a nearby rock. He quickly looked over at Goten, who was struggling to stay afloat. Gohan made contact with the rock, his teeth chattering, and dodged pieces of broken ice. Behind him was a waterfall, and he watched as the ice fell into a misty, water pit.
"(Guggle Guggle) Boss," Goten cried, as he fought to stay above water. The current was strong, and the ice water felt like millions of needles stabbing Gohan's body. Gohan fought off the cold, and was determined to get Goten before he fell down.
With one arm wrapped around the rock, Gohan was able to reach out and grab Goten.
"Gotcha," Gohan said bringing Goten close to him.
"Boss! Goten!"
Gohan looked up and saw Goku hover over them. Gohan managed to bring Goten closer, and tried to pick him up. With the current pulling them towards the edge, and one arm around a rock, Gohan was having difficulty. Goku moved closer, and reached out his hand. Gohan managed to pull Goten up, and Goku grabbed Goten's hand. Krillin was nearby, with his coat, and grabbed Goten from Goku.
Krillin flew off to get Goten into warmth. Goku reached his arm out to grab Gohan, and as Gohan lifted his arm up, he felt a strong force hit him in the chest. His grip on the rock was gone, as a piece of broken ice flew by him.
Gohan sunk in the water, and fell down the waterfall. Goku started to go towards the waterfall, but a powerful blur flew past him.
Vegeta quickly went down the waterfall to chase after Gohan. Goku could only watch in horror, waiting for both of them to come back. 18 quickly flew over.
"Where are they," she asked, unable to see anything through the mist.
"I don't know," Goku answered. He couldn't see anything either. Boss was hit in the chest, and Goku feared the worst. He could be seriously injured. Boss could be….dead. "Vegeta! Boss!"
All Goku could do was shout. He knew Vegeta was strong enough to fight the cold water, but Boss was only human. Boss' body wasn't strong enough.
Another gust of wind flew by Goku and 18. To their surprise, Piccolo flew by them, his cape in his hands. After what seemed like a lifetime, Goku started to see something.
"Look," 18 shouted, pointing to the blurred image.
"I can't believe you are that stupid," they heard Vegeta yell.
"It was s-s-shiny. Of course I h-had to grab it," they heard Boss yell.
Goku stumbled back in the air. He was relieved that Boss was okay. The trio floated up. Piccolo had one side of Gohan while Vegeta had the other. Gohan was wrapped in Piccolo's cape, his turban on Gohan as well.
"He's okay," Goku breathed out. Granted, Gohan was shaking, and his lips were a nice shade of blue, but he was alive.
"L-l-l-look what I found at the bottom of the waterf-f-fall," Gohan said, trying to control his shivering. With his arm wrapped around Vegeta's shoulder, Goku noticed Boss holding the four star dragonball. "I think I'm gonna pass out now."
Piccolo and Vegeta looked at each other.
"I'm wet and cold too, so you will be fine," Vegeta yelled. Gohan chuckled.
"Well…you're breathing and I'm…not."
"You're talking!"
"Yeah well…I need last words. Turtle power."
Vegeta and Piccolo felt Gohan's body go limp. The dragonball slipped out of Gohan's hand, but Goku was quick to grab it. Without saying a word, the trio quickly flew back to Goku's house, with the others in tow.
This feeling.
He knows this feeling. He has cats that constantly stare at him, and he knew this time it was multiple eyes looking at him. He dare not open his eyes, and instead tried to figure out where he was.
People mumbling?
What were they talking about? Something about a doctor…Dr. Barns? The last thing he remembered was being 500 miles away from Dr. Barns. Maybe they were talking about auburn barns? He's seen them around before, so talking about them could be a common thing. He was struggling to hear anyway. What else?
A light.
Was he…dead? Were there auburn barns in heaven? It would make sense, since horses needed a place to live after they died. So was he in heaven being judged by King Yemma? It was still too soon to open his eyes. Maybe he could feel what's around him?
…a really warm blanket.
If he was reincarnated as a pig in a blanket he was going to make the eater suffer! Food poisoning for the win! Wait, wouldn't he have to be a pig first? He watched Charlotte's Web as a kid. He didn't need a spider to help him live. He could fly, and when someone makes a joke about when pigs fly he will be there to prove them wrong! Now he couldn't wait to be a flying pig. Hearing, sight, and touch….what's left, smell?
Huh…felt like air was being pushed in his face. Now that he thought about it, was he wearing a mask of some sort? Like an oxygen mask?
Aw hell no.
He was in the hospital.
"Fuck this shit," Gohan said. He opened his eyes, sat up, and reached for the IV needles on his arms and hands. Sadly, as he tried to pull them out, he noticed there were no needles, or IV's, around him. He touched his face, and that confirmed that he was wearing an oxygen mask.
Gohan looked over to his right, and saw Dr. Barns sitting next to him, arms folded, looking pretty pissed off. Gohan looked around the room. The walls were not white, there were no machines plugged in somewhere, and it looked a lot like his bedroom from when he was a kid.
Wait, this is his bedroom from his childhood home!
He wasn't in the hospital!
So why was Dr. Barns here?
"I'm dreaming," Gohan confirmed folding his arms. He noticed Piccolo and Vegeta by his bed. Vegeta was sitting on a chair while Piccolo leaned up on the wall. Both stared at him. Gohan shivered a bit, and pulled the blankets over his naked body.
Wait…he was naked?
Four guys in the room, one saiyan, one Namekian, one doctor, and himself…naked.
This wasn't a dream; this was a nightmare!
"Well I hope you're happy," Dr. Barns said sarcastically, pulling a clipboard off the desk by the bed. "Not only did you put your body into complete shock, but you also risked my life. You're friends need to learn to leave me alone." He looked over at Vegeta. "Especially when I am in the middle of surgery!"
Vegeta shrugged his shoulder, not caring.
"So…no giant orgy," Gohan asked, still not sure why he wasn't wearing any clothes. Dr. Barns hit his forehead with the clipboard. "So how come I'm not wearing any clothes?"
Piccolo walked over to the bed.
"It was the only way to bring your body back up to temperature," Piccolo said. "Vegeta left to get your doctor since you were…"
"Dying?"
"Violently shaking."
"You had a seizure Boss," Dr. Barns grabbing Gohan's wrist, checking his pulse.
"Oh," Gohan said, trying to recall exactly what happened. "So what does me being naked have to do with a seizure? I do not remember being naked after a seizure."
"Do you remember what happened?"
Gohan looked at Piccolo, and then at Vegeta.
"No," Gohan said, looking at Vegeta. "The last thing I remember is…uh…shit."
Gohan put his forehead on the palm of his hand, trying to recall what happened hours ago. Dr. Barns looked at Vegeta and Piccolo.
"Give him time," Dr. Barns said, noticing the worried looks on both of their faces. "He may or may not remember, but that is due to the seizure." Dr. Barns looked back at Gohan. "What is your name?"
"I hate this game." Gohan groaned. "My name is Boss McGee."
"When is your birthday?"
"May-ish."
"How old are you?"
"Old enough to not need an adult."
"Where are you?"
"Clearly not in a hospital."
"Where are you," Dr. Barns repeated, more serious this time.
"Goku's house," Gohan answered. Dr. Barns waited if Gohan was going to say more, but he said nothing else.
"Why are you here," Dr. Barns asked, making notes on the chart.
"Christmas." Gohan rolled his eyes. "Still not sure why I agreed."
"Do you remember ice skating?"
"I don't ice skate," Gohan replied, making a face. "Why did you ask me that?"
Dr. Barns sighed.
"Boss, you fell into the ice water."
"He jumped in the water," Vegeta said, speaking for the first time. "Goten fell in the water, and you jumped in to rescue him. We got the brat, but you fell down the waterfall. You found a dragonball, and instead of swimming up for air you looked at me, smiled, and pointed at the damn dragonball in your hand!"
Gohan looked up at the ceiling, trying to recall what Vegeta said. It made sense, something shiny distracting him, but he couldn't remember that. He really could not remember what happened.
Gohan recalled yesterday. It was Christmas, he drank, Bulma tried to see if he was a thief, he wasn't, Goku heard his phone call conversation, he drank, they came home, he couldn't sleep, he drank, talked with Goku, went to bed, woke up and…
"Did Goku and I have matching skating outfits," Gohan asked. Dr. Barns turned his attention back towards the other two in the room.
"A seizure can mess up his memory. He may or may not remember what happened today," Dr. Barns explained. "I would recommend taking him to a hospital to get an MRI and x-ray to check his lungs. He's not coughing up blood, and he's not in pain, but it is better to be safe than sorry. I highly recommend a MRI of his head to make sure there is no serious damage."
"I'm not going to the hospital," Gohan stated. "I'm fine. I just can't remember what happened today. It is not the first time that I couldn't remember shit. Does it really matter anyway?"
All eyes adverted into different directions.
"Come by my office as soon as you can so I can check up on you," Dr. Barns said standing up. "Any issues, have Vegetable take you to me. Now, can someone take me back to the hospital, or do I have to walk?"
"I'll take you back," Piccolo said as he walked next to Dr. Barns. "Thank you for looking at him."
"Thanks for pulling me out of a triple bypass surgery."
Gohan removed his oxygen mask, and tested his breathing. He nodded, knowing that he was fine, and took the covers off. He stood there, naked, as he walked to his suitcase to get clothes. No one seemed to mind, but Dr. Barns did shake his head. Once Gohan was fully clothed all of them headed out the bedroom door.
As soon as Gohan exited, he was hit by something hard, and fell on his butt.
"You're my guardian angel," Goten cried, hugging Gohan around the stomach. Gohan sat there, having his stomach squeezed, losing oxygen. Gohan did three taps on the ground, and Dr. Barns walked over.
"Okay now kid, you can't be pouncing on people," he said, pulling Goten off of Gohan. Gohan gave a thumbs up, telling Dr. Barns that he was okay. "I'm going to tell you what I told Boss. Stay the rest of the day inside, and stay warm."
"Okay," Goten said, a big smile on his face. Dr. Barns turned to Piccolo, and both walked out the door. Goten turned his attention back towards Gohan, and went to hug him, more gently this time. "You're the best Boss! Thank you for saving me!"
"Uh, no problem Goten," Gohan said, patting Goten on the head. Vegeta walked over to Goku, and said a few things in his ear. Gohan knew Vegeta was 'updating' Goku on his prognosis. The surprised look on Goku's face confirmed it. "How are you feeling?"
"Much warmer, but I wanted to be with you! Mommy and Daddy said that you needed some rest, and Vegeta went to get your doctor to check on us. He was with you for a long time."
"I'm way older than you are, so Dr. Barns had to treat me like an old man."
"Are you old like my mom and dad?"
"I'm not that old."
"Watch it," Chi-Chi warned. Goten got off of Gohan. Gohan stood up, and smiled down at Goten.
Gohan glanced over at Goku and Vegeta, apart from the group, out of listening range. Goku had a smile on his face, his arms going all over the place. Goku punched his hand, and then spread them apart. Smile still on the face, Goku looked as though he was waiting for Vegeta to speak.
"Boss! Boss! Mommy made you a sandwich," Goten said, taking Gohan's hand and pulling him towards the kitchen. Gohan figured Vegeta would update him on what Goku was talking to him about.
"I'll make hot cocoa for everyone as well," Chi-Chi said. "It's been a difficult day, and I think we all need a little pick me up."
Vegeta grabbed Goku by the arm, and pulled him out of the house. Gohan was going to follow, but 18 pulled him away.
"Let's go hero," she said pulling him back towards the kitchen. "You really are stupid, you know that right?"
"I've been told that by many people," Gohan said. 18 forced Gohan to sit. Goten went to get his sandwich.
"First Marron and now Goten? You really do not think about what's going to happen to you if something goes wrong."
"Act first think later?"
"I'm surprised, that's all," 18 said, sitting next to Gohan. "Everyone watches as the something bad is about to happen, but you…you react before it does. You're an idiot, a pervert, but you are caring. There's not a lot of people like that out there."
"Thanks?" Gohan wasn't too sure how to feel about that.
Goten put Gohan's sandwich in front of Gohan. He went back over to Chi-Chi to help with the hot cocoa. Gohan, who was slightly hungry, quickly grabbed, and took a bite out of his sandwich.
"You're a good kid Boss." 18 stood up. "We better leave Krillin. We need to get Marron to bed."
"But Goku hasn't come back yet," Krillin said with a pout.
The front door swung open. Everyone looked over and saw a very irate Vegeta standing there.
"Woman," he shouted, "we're leaving. Now!"
"But Vegeta, Chi-Chi just made-"
"I don't care what the harpy made, we are leaving!"
"Veggie-chan-"
"Don't Veggie-chan me you weakling," Vegeta shouted. Gohan, sandwich in his hands, sat there, confused to why Vegeta was pissed off. It had to do with something Goku told him, but what would irk him that bad? What the hell did he do wrong? "You too brat!"
Trunks gulped. When his father got mad, he got mad. He quickly trotted over, while Bulma rolled her eyes.
"Bye guys," she said, weakly waving to the gang. Vegeta grabbed her by the waist, powered up, and flew out the door, Trunks quickly followed. Bulma screamed, and her screaming was heard for a while. Goku made it by the door, and looked at the sparkle in the sky. Once the screaming was no longer heard, Goku walked back in the house.
"What did you do," Chi-Chi yelled. Gohan stopped caring for the moment, and wanted to finish his sandwich.
"He didn't like the idea," Goku said shutting the door.
"What idea," Gohan asked, now curious about the situation than his sandwich.
"Oh well…I was hoping you can help Boss." Aw crap! "Well since Gohan hasn't been home in a while," what the hell did he just walk into, "Chi-Chi and I thought we could have a little fundraiser!"
Gohan was afraid to ask.
"…what kind of fundraiser?"
He asked.
"To help foster kids!"
Gohan didn't like where this was going.
In order to get into the system as Boss McGee, Gohan had to go through the adoption process. He wasn't in foster care; Mu-Ma and TJ adopted him from the adoption center. Usually foster families are helped out, given money to feed, cloth, and have a roof over the child's head. The adoption center itself takes donations, and struggle more than foster families.
Chi-Chi walked over and sat across from Boss.
"I know my son can make it out on his own, but he may have went to another family. I know how much he eats," she said with a small chuckle. TJ was forced to get a job to help pay for the food bill. Gohan knew exactly how much he ate. "Krillin brought up the idea. Have a little fundraiser to raise money for foster children."
"17 and 18 were actually foster children before they were androids," Krillin mentioned.
"That's why we became androids," 18 explained. "17 and I were tired of jumping from family to family, and when we met Dr. Gero he promised us incredible powers."
"So wait…you were teenagers when you met Gero," Gohan asked. That was…nine…ten years ago? What was she 16?
"We were both 16." Gohan looked over at Krillin.
"You waited until she was 18, right?"
"She said she was 18," Krillin replied with a wink.
Gohan high fived Krillin.
"But seriously, you two," Gohan pointed to 18 and Krillin, "have how many years apart?"
"We don't measure years Boss. We have a love that cannot be broken," Krillin answered. Gohan just stared at him, making Krillin feel uncomfortable. "Wow 18 you're right! Sure is late! Let's get Marron to bed!"
"Yeah 18, you don't want to be out passed curfew. Krillin might ground you," Gohan mumbled loud enough to hear, and loud enough for everyone to look at him. He quickly shoved the sandwich in his mouth.
18 smiled gently, and the family of three left. Chi-Chi got up from her chair, remembering the hot cocoa she was preparing.
"So why was Vegeta mad," she asked. Goku plopped in the seat 18 was in, his left arm flung over the chair.
"He said it was a stupid idea. Gohan's not going to show up to something like that, and when I said to have it at Capsule Corp he threw a fit." Goku sighed. "It wasn't a plan to lure Gohan out."
"It never was. Krillin thought of it, and it seemed right to do something like that. Gohan didn't want to be home, and there are kids out there who want one. Honestly, what's wrong with a fundraise?"
"You can do it at the bar," Gohan offered.
…that slipped out.
He did not want them to do it at the bar.
What was he thinking!
Quick! Say something to change their mind!
"You won't need to pay the rent fee either."
YOU IDIOT!
"Do you think Seymour will let us," Chi-Chi asked, setting the cups of hot cocoa in front of everyone. Goten started to jump up and down.
"We can do karaoke," he exclaimed.
"Five bucks to sing a song, ten to have the band play the song for you," Gohan said, adding in ideas. Why not? He opened his big mouth anyway. "Create some tickets, pick an adoption center to raise money for. Foster families usually have income coming in, but adoption centers only have resource through donations. Old blankets, torn clothes, and the food was quick and easy meals. If you raise a big enough donation, kids can get new clothes, have better food, oh and field trips to the zoo!"
"The adoption center you were at, was it like that," Goku asked. Gohan took a sip of his hot cocoa.
"It was. You have so many kids to feed, and some kids arrive with the clothes on their back."
"Like you?"
"You have to look like you crawled out of a sewer, and smell like three year old gym socks," TJ said. They were in the backyard, they being Gohan, Marie, and Seymour, with bags filled with trash. "First step, roll around in this trash."
TJ began to open up the trash bags, and empty them out on the ground.
"Some of these bags came from my room, and I am not held responsible what you roll in."
Gohan wasn't sure he liked this idea.
"There's a tent over there," TJ said, pointing to a tent fifteen feet away, "where you will sleep."
"Why do I have to sleep outside," Gohan whined.
"You're not smelling up my house," Marie said. "Now go roll in the trash. You will need to do this three to four times a day."
"After three days, my laundry," TJ said proudly. Gohan looked over at Seymour, who had hair at the time, didn't like the idea either.
"He's a kid," Seymour said. "I'm sure there are other way to do this."
"Nope. This is what we are doing. I planned this whole thing out, and we are going to do it my way," TJ said with an evil smirk. Gohan knew that smirk, and gulped.
*Three Days Later*
"What the hell died in your clothes," Gohan shouted. He wore the same outfit for three days, rolled in trash three times a day, and ate whatever food he found in the trash! They were starving him, to give him the 'homeless kid' look. He smelled, and in the middle of a heat wave. Flying home was better than this torture!
"You will sleep in this pile for four days," TJ said. "Whatever scraps Mom and I have leftover will be your food."
"Is there a quicker way to do this?"
"I could always throw you in the septic tank."
"I sleep in your clothes."
(Four days later…)
Three hours…
Gohan was walking for three hours in the heat, and nobody was near him. He was thirsty, hungry, and the smell…people ran from it. Mu-Ma and TJ made him sleep in the woods because what was coming off his body was making the neighborhood sick. All this to be 'legal'.
It was a great plan. Look poor, be dirty, and go to the local adoption center. Say his family died from drugs, or something, and he doesn't have any family. He doesn't have a name, because his druggie parents just called him kid. Gohan could change his name, be a new person, and start a new life!
Sure the idea was great, but the prep for it was not!
Gohan had no shoes, his feet were burning on the concrete, and even if he saw someone they quickly trotted away. Some people even threw up.
Gohan let out a sigh of relief when he finally arrived at the Pure Hearts Orphanage. Should he knock on the door? Maybe just enter? His questions were answered when the door opened up.
There stood a lady, short and plumped, holding her nose. She wore a pink sweater vest, a blue dress, and black flat shoes. Her hair was tied in a bun, brown, with a few gray hairs mixed in. She saw Gohan, and her heart melted.
"So you're the one we were smelling miles away," she said, fingers still pinching her nose. "Oh sweetheart, where are your parents?"
"They uh…they," Gohan wasn't sure if the fumes from his body killed a few brain cells, but he forgot what his backstory was supposed to be. "I don't have any ma'am."
The lady frowned.
"Did you walk all the way over here by yourself?"
"I've been alone for a while." Stuck in some sort of stink hell while TJ and Marie watched in a clean house with food! "I asked someone where I could go, and they mentioned this place."
Marie gave the wrong set of directions, which explain why he took so long to get here!
"What's your name?"
"My name?" Gohan didn't a name out yet. He actually liked Bob, and he liked the name Ross. They were different than his name, normal sounding at least, and it matched McGee, his soon to be new last name. "Boross."
The lady blinked.
"Boross?" She questioned.
"Boss," Gohan said. With a look of confusion on her face, the lady nodded, and carefully made her way over to 'Boss'..
"We're going to get you cleaned up…Boss, and then give you something to eat. How does that sound?"
"Like heaven!"
"Good! We're going to take your picture first for our records, is that okay?"
There was no way he was getting his picture taken looking like this. The lady walked away to grab a camera, and Boss did his best to look decent. She returned with the camera, and a mask on her face, and Gohan could tell she was smiling.
"Say cheese," she said. Boss felt a tickle in his nose. He was just about to sneeze when she took the photo. "Perfect! Now let's get you in the back and hose you off."
(Two weeks later…)
Boss kept looking out the window. He knew that TJ and Marie were coming soon, but it was hard waiting. For them. He was in the system, known as Boss, and that was the only information they had. He was asked a lot of questions, where he was at, his family, where he stayed and sleep…Gohan was never a good lair, but Boss would be!
Boss was just as bad as a liar. The police came to talk to him as well, and now as Boss he couldn't keep any story straight. Eventually, everyone agreed that Boss was traumatized, and blocked out his past. That made the process so much easier.
"Think anyone is going to see you today?"
Boss turned around, and found the only friend he made there.
"I know someone will come for me Owen," Boss said as he weakly smiled.
Owen was with a lot of foster families. He didn't get along with the other kids, his foster parents, and caused a lot of mayhem in the new families. He was Boss' age, slightly smaller, and brown hair that was kept short. Boss ran his hands through his hair, or lack their off. Because his hair was nothing but a knotted mess they shaved the whole thing off.
"Families go for babies. Once your old enough to take care of yourself, no one wants you," Owen said, looking out the window. "I'm going to stay here until I am old enough to leave!"
That was Owen's issue. He didn't want anyone controlling him, telling him what do to. He lacked discipline, and since he was out of control no one wanted him.
Looking back out the window Boss sighed.
"I remember my family, well…when we were one. It was nice having a mom. She took care of me when I was sick, read me bed time stories, and made sure that I was okay," Boss said. It was a bit difficult talking about his mother. Right now Chi-Chi was living alone. Even if he was there, his mother would forget that he existed. It was Namek all over again.
"What about your dad," Owen asked. Boss frowned.
"He's dead to me," Boss answered.
"You're a strange kid Boss. You come here not sure who your family is, but when we talk you know remember them."
"It's hard to explain." Boss walked away from the window, and sat on his bed. Owen followed, and sat next to his friend. "You're my first friend Owen. I never had a friend my age before. It's new to me."
"Did you live out in the middle of nowhere," Owen asked.
Well…
"We didn't have neighbors," Boss said. How are you supposed to explain you lived near a mountain 500 some odd miles away. "I think you should stop acting out, and get a family of your own. If I get adopted I won't see you again, but if we get adopted we can see each other again. Promise me you'll try?"
Owen looked at Boss, and gently punched him in the shoulder.
"I'm not making any promises with a kid named Boss," Owen said laughing. "If you tell me your real name, then maybe I'll consider changing my attitude. No parent would name their kid Boss."
With Owen being Boss' only friend for the moment, not counting TJ and Marie, he hoped that Owen won't blow his cover.
"Gohan. My parents named me Gohan."
Owen made a face, and stuck out his tongue.
"Your parents called you rice?" He shook his head. "Man, why couldn't you give yourself a normal name, like Steve or something?"
"I couldn't choose between Bob or Ross," Boss explained.
"So, you combined the two or something?"
"Accidently."
Owen laughed.
"I like you cause you are one strange kid Boss," Owen said with a smile. "If one of us gets adopted, we have to find each other again. We'll make a man's promise!"
"What's a man's promise?"
Owen spit in his right hand. He stuck it out for a handshake.
"I spit in my hand, you spit in yours, and we shake!"
Boss had a little bit of vomit come up his throat. That was a man's promise? Why couldn't they pinkie swear instead?
Not wanting to lose a new friend, Boss spit in his hand, and grabbed Owen's.
"A man's promise," Owen proclaimed.
"A man's promise," Boss repeated, swallowing the vomit that came up.
(Some days later…)
There was a lot of commotion going on. Boss learned that when everyone started to get excited, it meant there was a family looking for a child. Boss started to get excited as well. Marie and TJ were supposed to show up sooner or later, but the families that came by were not the two people who helped him. He feared that they wouldn't show up, and he would be stuck in the orphanage for many years, maybe with a new family.
He really like TJ and Marie. They took care of him when he was sick, and they wanted him to be part of their family. A grandmother with her grandson, the two didn't seem to get along, but they both became fond of 'Gohan.' As Boss peeked over the corner, his eyes lit up, and he smiled.
There they were, TJ and Marie, talking to one of the volunteers of the orphanage. TJ was dressed in a button down shirt and jeans, and tugging at the collar. Boss could tell TJ was uncomfortable, but they needed to look presentable. Marie was in a simple light blue dress with a pastel yellow sweater. She kept smiling at the volunteer.
Boss looked at himself. With his hair gone and in different clothes, how were TJ and Marie supposed to spot him? He even had a new name! They won't know who he is!
TJ looked around, and Boss perked up his head. He was hiding in an opening, watching. TJ looked highly confused, and stared at every child. His eyes met with Boss, and Boss waved. TJ raised an eyebrow, and titled his head. He mouthed the word 'you', and Boss quickly nodded. TJ pointed to his hair, and Boss motioned a razor on his head. TJ started to laugh.
Marie looked back at TJ, and quickly apologized for his behavior. Boss could tell she was upset. TJ pointed to Boss. Marie looked over, and Boss waved. He was still smiling. They came for him!
The volunteer lady looked over, and saw Boss peeking. Marie quickly got her attention. Boss watched as they talked, and saw Marie's mouth dropped. TJ started to laugh again. It was times like these Boss wished he had great hearing like Piccolo! The volunteer lady smiled, and used her hand to motion Boss to come over. Boss gulped. He was nervous and excited.
"They couldn't help but see you peek from the corner," the volunteer lady said. Everyone called her Kitty, because she wore a lot of cat shirts, and her office was decorated with cats as well. "This is Boss. He came to us about a month ago."
"Nice to meet you," Boss said as he bowed. TJ started to laugh again.
"Who the hell names their kid Boss," he said, still laughing.
"That's not nice TJ. It's original, and I like it," Marie said. Boss could tell she was holding back laughter. "I'm Marie, and this is TJ. We're looking for a child to become part of our family. There's something about you that I like."
"It's not the hair cut!"
"TJ!"
"He smells like old gym socks!" Yeah…that smell didn't completely wash away. "Can we keep him? I promise I'll feed him, take him out for walks, and play with him every day!"
TJ kept a straight face, for a total of three seconds. He excused himself, and walked outside. Kitty turned to Boss, and smiled.
"What do you say Boss? We can go into the interaction room, and you can talk with Ms. Marie and your new potential brother." TJ was heard laughing outside.
"I filled out the paper weeks ago," Marie said. "We just got the phone call two days ago, and I told TJ that his little brother is waiting for him."
TJ entered once more.
"We would have come yesterday, but we were a little hungover." Marie slapped her forehead. She looked over at Kitty, and politely smiled.
"We celebrated the fact that we were approved," she said, a tear drop appearing on her head. "It was food poisoning…bad sushi."
"Yeah, it totally wasn't the four wine bottles we killed."
"TJ go back outside!"
"I'm not leaving without my little brother," TJ said. Boss looked over at TJ. He couldn't help but smile. He hasn't been this happy in a long time. This is his family now. TJ snorted. "Boss…that's the dumbest name I ever heard."
This was going to be his brother…
"Boss is a good name," Marie said. She made a weird noise from her throat, and let out a giggling fit. "It's completely fine." She bit her lips. "Great." Marie couldn't hold it in anymore, and started to laugh.
And this was going to be his new mom…
"The hair," Marie said, slapping her leg. "I'm so sorry! The name…the hair…and he still smells!"
Boss stood there, frowning, as TJ and Marie continued to laugh.
This was his new family…
"Hey, can we change his middle name to Oscar? His initials will be B.O," TJ said. Marie laughed harder.
"This is my son TJ," she pointed to TJ, "and this is his brother, BO." She pointed to Boss " We call him BO because he stinks!"
Both laughed. Kitty looked at Boss.
"Um…if you don't feel comfortable with them, you don't have to have them as your family," she said. Boss noticed the irritation in her voice.
"I'll adjust," Boss said in a dull voice. TJ and Marie were still cracking jokes. The short time he was with them, TJ and Marie didn't laugh like this. They didn't talk much, and when they did they always snapped at each other.
This is where he belonged.
(END)
For the first time in a long time, Gohan was sleeping. Goku and Chi-Chi stood by the door as they watched the two sleep. Goten was sprawled out on top of Boss, and Boss didn't seem to care. Both were snoring, Boss slightly louder than Goten.
It was one in the morning, and Chi-Chi and Goku couldn't sleep. They went downstairs for some tea and warm milk, and stopped by the bedroom where the two boys slept. They were peaceful.
Boss would be heading home tomorrow, and both adults didn't feel right letting him leave. For some strange reason they wanted him to stay longer. They knew that Boss had a life. He had his own place, his animals to take care of, and a life.
"Six months," Chi-Chi whispered. "He's so young."
"He'll be okay Chi-Chi," Goku said. Goku let everyone know that Boss' time was short. The incident with the waterfall scared Goku, and he really thought Boss was going to die.
They got them, Boss and Goten, to the house quickly. Chi-Chi stripped them of their clothes, and quickly got them under the covers. Piccolo said to put Goten in front of the fireplace, and Boss will be wrapped in an electrical blanket. Vegeta went to get Boss' doctor, and Piccolo stayed in the bedroom, not letting anyone enter. It was strange how Piccolo didn't want anyone near Boss. Piccolo said it was for the best.
18 started to yell, wanting to know why Boss was being held captive.
"He only has six months to live," Goku said. Everyone went silent. "His lungs are in bad shape. If something doesn't go right then…"
"He's dying," Chi-Chi said, her eyes watering up. She was holding Goten by the fire. He fell asleep in his arms.
"He was in a bad accident many years ago. I overheard him on the phone the other day, and the damage from that accident is destroying his lungs. Piccolo is locking Boss in the room so…"
Goku couldn't even complete his sentences.
"Are you saying there's a chance that he could die because of today," 18 asked. Goku's silence answered the question.
"But if he survives this, there is a way to help him," Goku said. "But we must keep it a secret from Boss."
"He's going to hate you, you know that right," Chi-Chi said as she gently pulled Goku away from the door. "If he figures out what we are doing we'll never going to see him again."
"But if he'll be alive," Goku said with a smile. "The money we raise at the fundraiser will go straight towards Boss' surgery. Bulma is going to have a secret fundraiser as well."
"Are we going to make enough money in a short amount of time?"
"I know we will Chi. Now, if we can only get Vegeta to help. He really did not like the idea."
"That's Vegeta for you," Chi-Chi said grabbing some mugs. "I'm sure he'll come around once the shock wears off."
Goku smiled as he sat down at the table. He believed that they could help raise the money. Surely his friends would help out as well. Goku couldn't talk to Seymour about it today, but Goku knew that Seymour would do anything to keep Boss alive. Vegeta though…
"You're wasting your time," Vegeta yelled. Goku thought Vegeta would be happy to hear that they were raising money for Boss' surgery. "You know nothing about him Kakarot, and here you are being this saint? Why do you have to be nice to everyone idiot you meet?"
"Everyone deserves a chance to live Vegeta," Goku said. "Don't you want Boss to go through with the surgery?"
"Oh yeah, raise money for a surgery that is going to kill him anyway. Are you even thinking this through?"
"But I thought-"
"You know nothing Kakarot. Just because you were nice enough to have him stay over doesn't mean your best friends! Why can't you mind your own business, and let sleeping dogs lie?"
'I'm not giving up on him' Goku thought as he turned his head towards the bedroom door.
END!