I do not own Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, or Dragon Ball Super. I only own the original characters that I create.
The Mask
Chapter 3
With tired eyes, Bardock looked around the room in which he presently resided. He had just woken up and it was well past midnight. The room was dark and only had the moon's gentle glow giving it light. He looked down at his chest and gazed upon his slumbering son who sat on a chair that was close to the bed. He had his arms folded on Bardock's chest and his head buried in his folded arms. Bardoc's heart entered a state of calm to see his son sleeping so peacefully. Then, Bardock's eyes came across the absent of hair on his head that was also a long jagged scar. It was small, so it was barely noticeable. Bardock moved his hand from underneath the comforter to touch the scar but felt his son shift in his slumber. He decided not to disturb his son's peaceful slumber and decided to return to the realm of dreams himself. Slowly, but surely Bardock fell under the Sand Man's spell and fell asleep with his son's head on his chest.
He had splendid dreams that night, but they didn't last very long because of his son's angelic voice calling to him from outside the dream realm. Bardock slightly cracked open his left eye, then his right, and was greeted by the blurry face that was of his cheery son. With a tray in one hand, Goku had a small smile, "Hey," Goku said sweetly, "I brought you some food." And set the tray on the table next to the bed. Bardock then fully opened his eyes and noticed that it was already morning. Well, it was technically mid-afternoon. Bardock then sat up with a grunt of pain that was caused by his over-worked muscles aching. Frowning, Goku placed his hand on his father's bare chest and gently forced him to sit against the pillows, "Please, don't move. You're tired already, don't stress yourself even more than you already are." With the same unwavering sweet smile, Goku then grabbed the tray and gently placed it on Bardock's lap. Bardock's eyes nearly boggled, he never seen such a delicious spread of food. Bardock looked at Goku who chuckled and said, "I wasn't sure what you liked so I made everything I could think of." Goku said and tweeted his thumbs out of shyness. Bardock gently smiled and moved his hand and placed it on Goku's to lightly pat it. Since his muscles were sore, he could only move his hand so lightly. Then, he spoke, "It's fine. Thank you. I never really had anything good to eat in awhile." Bardock's voice was cracked and raspy. It was also sore from the lack of moisture.
The two sat there for what felt like minutes after Bardock had finished his meal. Normally, he would eat twice as much, but for some reason, he wasn't all that hungry. He handed Goku the tray which was gently taken from his grasp and placed on the table. Standing up Goku looked out the window with eyes that gleamed with joy and happiness. Bardock was glad to know his son was happy. But, he desperately wanted him to know who he was and how much Goku meant to Bardock. A small pain struck his heart, he ignored it and continued to smile at his son who looked back and him and smiled as well, "I never got an answer," Goku said with a gentle voice and warm eyes. Bardock was caught off guard a bit. An answer for what? He gazed at his son with questioning eyes, "Answer for what," He asked with a now slightly sore throat. Goku smiled then recalled, "How you knew my birth name. Only a few know that name, yet you do. Who are you? That's all I want to know. If you're not ready to tell me, I'll respect that." Goku then waited for an answer that Bardock never gave. His smile wavered and his eyes seemed to now gleam with slight hurt, "A-are you a relative? Uncle, brother? Or, perhaps-" Goku paused, "My dad?" Bardock stiffened but tried to keep him from noticing. Finally looking at Goku, Bardock opened his mouth, "I am-" He quickly thought of a lie, "Your... godfather. I was... your father's good friend, and he left me in charge of you if he were to pass." Bardock sounded distant. He had just lied to his son, but maybe it was better that he didn't know. Goku's face brightened and giggled with a cute grin, "You're my godfather? That's awesome! So, does that make you like my uncle or something? Or my grandpa?"
Goku then attacked Bardock with a thousand questions, "Well, no. I think so, maybe. I don't know," Were his responses to Goku's questions. He was like a curious child who wanted to know about everything. But, one question seemed to catch Bardock's attention. Goku then looked at Bardock with curious eyes and a huge smile when he said, "What was my dad like? Was he cool? Was he strong? Was he nice?" Bardock smiled fondly at Goku, glad to hear that he wanted to know who is dad was. He then paused for a moment and Bardock finally decided what he wanted to say, "Your dad was a warrior. Strong and brave others said. He fought with purpose and loved it. However, what he loved more were his family." Goku had a bright smile as he learned more about the father he wished to see. Even though he was speaking to him.