Ch. 15: The Semi Finals

After the mic was passed back to the awkwardly stunned announcer, he began the next match, Match #5: Jackie Chun vs. Krillian. Goku and I went back to watch over the wall.

The match started with Krillian charging at Jackie for a punch that was dodged. Then Krillian did a series of kicks and two punches that had the old man panicking to dodge, but he finally used his hand to block the second punch instead. Jackie even complimented it.

Then Jackie got serious and got into a stance that I remembered Grandpa doing. Faster than a blink, Jackie punched Krillian, whom flew and hit the wall. A red mark is shown and a trickle of blood coming from his non-existent nose to show where he got hit.

Krillian sat against the wall in stunned wonder. I hung next to Goku, as Goku explained to Krillian that is if he can see it, then so can Krillian. Krillian looked to me for confirmation; I gave a toothy smile and a thumb up. I looked to Master Roshi, a.k.a. Jackie Chun still instance, still focused.

"Now get up and face him before Mr. Announcer starts the count down! You can do it!"

Krillian got up with renewed vigor and wearily stood in from of Jackie. Then they exchanged punches, the crowd didn't see. Goku shouted his praise, I cheered.

Krillian exchanged words with Jackie, unknowingly actually fighting his own master. Then they charged at each other. While some of their actions to try and get the upper hand were … unsanitary, it seemed to work, somewhat. Once they land on each side of the ring, facing away from each other, a moment of silence came over everyone. Goku and I groaned as Krillian fell face first on the arena. Goku ran to the steps to shout at Krillian to stand up. I just hung on the wall in tense silence. I believe in Krillian to stand, and he did at the count of 8. He moaned in pain as he clutched the back of his head the kick Jackie gave him.

But before the match could resume, Mr. Announcer came up for an explanation. As Jackie and Krillian acted out how they attacked each other, I had gotten a sudden happy feeling watching them. I smiled and giggled.

"So what's got you happy all of sudden, Kagome?"

I glanced at Yamucha, who was still watching the current fighter's acting in silent awe, but glanced at me with a small smile. I smiled wider, unknowingly, making my eyes sparkle and dance.

"It's just that everyone is having so much fun. I just makes me happy. I just hope to see more of this, since I probably won't be seeing Goku after the Tournament-"

I paused at seeing underwear being flung onto the ground. If I wasn't mistaken, those looked like the underwear Luanch got for me try on. My eyebrows nit together, I wondered why Krillian had my underwear. I heard gritting beside me. I glanced at Yamucha. He was stiff and blushing, staring at the underwear the Krillian tricked Jackie into diving for it, to kick him out of the ring.

Did I speak my thoughts out loud?

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

In the end, Jackie won the match and my underwear mysteriously disappeared to somewhere while I was busy taking care of Krillian.

I massaged Krillian's shoulders to ease the tension and to relax for healing. Krillian's face was relaxed and he seemed to like it. Then Yamucha came in and claimed that Jackie Chun was Muten Roshi, he was correct, but having no substantial evidence to prove it.

I got up to head for the arena. I was going up against Goku, so I can't go easy on him. I wiped my mind of thoughts and my face of feelings. I felt Goku behind me, following.

Once we were on the stage, I turned to Goku with a hard stare. He was startled at my expression. I just stood across from him while Mr. Announcer spoke about our match, then it started.

I crossed my arms. Goku has on a determined expression, then he smiled. I smirked at his after image. I moved to the side to avoid his kick. I kicked him in the ribs to aim at the grass but he skidded on the tiles to stop himself just at the edge. He panted a bit but charged me, my smile grew, but in a cruel way.

I uncrossed my arms to dodge his attacks, even if no one could see us anymore. I gave him an upper cut to his chest. He landed on the ground not moving, but I knew he was alive. I glared at his form when Mr. Announcer timidly started the count down.

"Come on Goku, I know that punch didn't do you in that quickly! Get up! Show me how strong you have gotten! SHOW ME YOU CAN SURVIVE!"

He wobbled but he got up before the count of 9. He panted and glared at me. I smiled.

"That is better. Now, come at me with all that you've got, otherwise, you won't defeat me."

He shouted and charged punches and kicks flying at me. I dodged all of them.

"Come on! Charging at me won't do anything!"

He shouted again out of frustration and actually punched me in the face. That seemed to snap him out of it and he jumped back, staring at me. I can taste blood pool in my mouth from the cut within my cheek. I looked at him as I spit the blood on the tile. I smiled, showing my now bloody teeth and this time I charged him.

I needed to confirm that punch wasn't just a fluke. Goku blocked with all him might from my punches, kicks, jabbes, and other attacks, but I can see and feel it. He was getting faster and stronger. He is now able to punch and kick me. I pushed against him and we jumped to each side of the ring, standing in the crowd's silence, awe, and disgruntlement.

I was slightly out of breath while Goku was panting. While I have a few bruises and even fewer cuts, Goku was worse for wear than me. I stood straighter and gave him a soft half-smile.

"You did better than I expected little brother. I can now believe that you can survive without me. I'm proud of you."

Goku smiled widely and toothily, puffing with pride. I clicked my tongue and stepped backwards to land on the grass, disqualifying me from the match.

Goku just stared at me with a dumbfounding face. I gave him his smile.

"I'll let you have this match but train harder, so that in the next Tournament, you can earn your actual win against me."

I jumped as the crowd roared with cheer. They were so silent, I forgot they were there. I walked back to the waiting area, some men came and cared for my cuts and then left. I am aching now. I was sure that it's going to hurt a lot more tomorrow. My healing abilities can heal other people, just not myself. While my body's healing abilities itself is faster, just can't directly affect it. Funny, isn't it?

Goku came and gave me a disgruntled glare. I waved it off as I healed his wounds and bruises. He was going up against Jackie, Master Roshi, who was not injured really. So, I wanted it to be at least fair.

I watched his back as he went to the area to fight the disguised Muten Roshi. I sighed and laid my head back on the seat, closing my eyes. I felt someone sit next to me. I opened one eye to look at Yamucha. I opened my other eye to look at him and to raise an eyebrow at him. He seemed to be blushing. He seemed to notice my staring, so he started to mumble,

"Well, I just wanted to give you something to help make you feel better. I kinda know why you acted like that to Goku, so, um, yeah."

I wanted to ask what it was he was going to give me until I froze, feeling something soft on my cheek just under a band-aided cut. I stared as he pulled back, coughed and walked away, all the while his face was red. I gently touched my cheek where his lips touched. I can feel my ears and cheeks burn.

W-why did he do that?