Goku landed on deck with barely a sound and spun around to give a final wave to Chi-Chi only to falter upon spotting her still standing there with her hands pressed to her chest. Was it his imagination or did she look sad? He scratched his cheek, feeling guilty though he didn't know why. She couldn't be upset by his leaving, after all he'd told her he'd be back in a week. Yet he couldn't shake the feeling that he was at fault.

But he couldn't help it! He had to do something! The past several mornings he'd woken up groping Chi-Chi in some way or other with his weiner all stiff and aching. That was bad enough but throughout the day he found himself staring at her lips or her curves or her shiny, silky hair. One time he'd almost brushed his fingers through it before he realized what he was doing!

He couldn't take it!

And the dreams! Goku hadn't been able to erase the feel of Chi-Chi's lips or hands from his memory, the weight of her body on his or that scent of hers that suffocated his mind. Every night he dreamed and every morning he woke up in a daze, wanting to let his hands linger just a little, wanting to press himself against her just one more time…

Every second was a struggle for control. And he was losing…badly.

He didn't want to hurt Chi-Chi, he never wanted to hurt Chi-Chi.

So when some guy had asked if was interested in working on a crabbing boat for a week, he'd jumped at the chance to put some distance between them. All he needed was a little space. A chance to breathe fresh air that didn't make his mouth water. Once he could finally think clearly, he'd do some meditation and get his body under control.

A week. A week was all that he needed, then things could go back to the way they were before and Chi-Chi would be safe and happy. Just one week.

Chi-Chi would understand.

"Hey you made it!"

Goku turned to see the tall, dark skinned guy, Kani—who was the one to offer him the job—come up with a wave.

"I'm glad you showed." Kani said, clapping his shoulder. "Haulin' those cages are a right pain when we're a man short. Let me introduce you to the fellas."

He guided Goku to where three other men were gathered, two of which were conversing while the third was busy scribbling away in a notepad.

"Aw man, you see the curves on that one?" said the guy in the knit cap. The man waved his hands in and out and grinned at his friend. "What I'd give to get a taste of that honey."

The other man ran a hand over his mouth and smirked. "Yeah she was. Certainly a better sight than your ugly mug."

"You know the chicks can't get enough of this."

"I think you're confusing yourself with me."

"Pffft. Whatever ya got to tell yourself playa."

Kani shook his head in dismay.

"Tweedle dee and dum here," he said, pointing a thumb at the pair. "Also known as Manati and Iruka. Captain Orca's up at the helm and that guy's Toshigo." He pointed to the final man before turning to address them all. "Alright fellas, pipe down and listen up! This here is Goku. He's gonna be giving us a hand this week since Kurage had to bail. Let's try not to make him regret it just yet, yeah?"

The men all snickered knowing the new recruit would be feeling it after the first couple of days but agreed to be good sports. No need to haze him when the job was rough enough.

Kani gave a satisfied nod and wandered off to speak with the captain, leaving the four to get acquainted.

Manati, of course, knew the quickest way to break the ice.

"Hey new guy!"

Goku blinked and pointed to himself.

"Me?"

"Yeah, you! You an ass or breast man?"

Was this guy talking about food?

"Both?"

"My man!" Both Manati and Iruka laughed, much to Goku's confusion.

Toshigo sighed, putting his notepad down. "Lookin's all you'll be doing with attitudes like that. Is it any wonder neither of you can get a girl?"

"Hey now! I got dozens of ladies waitin' for me to get back," Manati argued, while Iruka was content to just smile. He knew he wasn't hurting for dates.

"Big words for a man one slip up away from being single like the rest of us. Tatsu's not going to wait around forever you know."

Goku frowned, not liking Iruka's words. He didn't know why any of the men found it hard to get a girl. They were everywhere after all, but he could tell from the other man's tone that he was trying to pick a fight. But instead of getting angry, this Toshigo guy was…blushing? In fact he seemed to be struggling not to smile, something the other men seemed to pick up on.

"Man, just spit it out already!" Manati groaned.

Toshigo broke out into a wide grin.

"Tatsu's not gonna have to wait at all after we've finished this job. I'll finally have enough to pay off Hoseki."

Every man turned to stare, even Goku though he still didn't know what was going on. Kani and the captain joined them.

"What goin' on?" Kani asked him.

Goku shrugged and pointed. "He's paying off some guy called Hoseki?"

Clearly the name meant something to him as well because Kani quickly turned wide eyes towards Toshigo, who smiled and nodded.

"Holy shit man! That's fantastic! You're having it made?"

"Yeah," Toshigo pulled out his phone as the men gathered behind him to stare at the screen. "I did a job with my cousin down south and came across some raw rubies."

Curious, Goku peeked over the men's shoulders and spotted an image of a dull red rock until Toshigo swiped the screen and a new one appeared in its place. This one was also red, but smaller and way more sparkly, embedded in a golden ring.

Goku scratched his head, confused. What was the big deal about a shiny rock?

"Damn!" Manati gasped, "She's gonna be all over you once she lays eyes on that! How you gonna ask her? Gonna make a big production out of it? Maybe arrange one of those flash mobs?"

Iruka shook his head in disgust. "Don't ask her in front of a bunch of people. Women don't want that kind of pressure. A lady wants to be romanced."

Romance? Goku turned his attention back to the group as Iruka continued.

"She wants dinner and dancing, a stroll through the park. Seduce her. Make love to her."

Kani shook his head at this. "Toshi knows his lady best. I'm sure he's got a plan, right?"

Toshigo smiled and pocketed his phone. "I'm gonna reenact our first date. We went to a Taitans game and then the car broke down on the way back from the city. I'm going to ask her then."

"Don't do that," Iruka frowned. "The last thing a woman wants is to risk being stranded in the middle of nowhere if she turns a man down."

"I wouldn't do that!" Toshigo snapped. He shoved his seat back and stood, glaring down on the other man.

"Alright boys, that's enough."

The Captain, a weathered looking man with a full beard, stepped forward before an argument could break out and clapped Toshigo on the shoulder. "Congratulations son. It's not every day a young man proposes to his bride. I'm sure you and Tatsu will be very happy together."

"Thanks Captain."

Captain Orca smiled and then turned to speak to the other man but Goku wasn't listening any more. He was too busy processing everything he'd just heard.

A bride…a bride was another word for a wife right? So Toshigo was going to propose? Is that what they were all talking about? But…but if that were true…then no wonder he failed! He didn't know he wasn't supposed to ask Chi-Chi in front of others! Or when they were alone out in the wilderness!

But if he wasn't supposed to do it around others and he wasn't supposed to do it when they were alone, then when could he ask her?

And what was a date?

That word seemed kind of familiar. Wasn't that what Chi-Chi called that one afternoon they hung out when they were kids? Was he supposed to recreate that? Did she even own that outfit anymore?

"Alright boys," the Captain called, "We need to prep the pots so they're ready to drop. Someone show the newbie what's what."

Kani tapped Goku's shoulder and gestured for him to follow before walking to where two hundred large cages sat.

"We need to prep these with bait and make sure they're secure to their buoys so we can haul them up later. They're real heavy so be careful. Later when they're full of crabs they'll be even heavier, we'll have to use the crank to get 'em up but us men will still need to lug the cages over the rail to get 'em back in the boat.

"Oh?" Goku lifted a cage with one hand and then tossed another on top. "Doesn't seem too heavy to me," he grinned, adding a third to the pile before he started to juggle them all.

"Holy shit!"

Kani took a step back uneasily.

"Okay, okay. I get it, you're strong! Can you put them down now please? They might be toys to you but some of us are a little more delicate, man!"

"Oops, sorry," Goku mumbled, dropping them back down to stack on the others.

The Captain walked over, looking pleased.

"With that kind of strength, we'll finish in no time! In fact…" he rubbed his chin in thought. "Kani, what do you say we head east of the Metal Isles? With this lad's help we can bring home some ironclaw lobsters instead and fetch a higher sum at the market. Our wallets sure as hell won't complain and Toshi can really treat his lady to a night she'll remember!"

"Ain't the nest near Ningyo Island?"

"A little but we shouldn't even have to skirt their territory. We can be in an' out without any trouble. I was out there just last week, in fact, for a bit of surveying."

Kani rubbed his mouth and shrugged. "Well, if you think it's fine then I'm with you, Captain. You ain't steer us wrong yet."

Captain Orca laughed and clapped a hand on the young man's shoulder. "And I don't plan to start now. Alright boys, let's get to work!"

The crew jumped into action and Goku quickly learned how to set bait in the traps and secure the buoys with strong knots. It took him a dozen tries to get the hang of it but after several slow demonstrations he managed and soon he could tie a knot as well as the rest of them. With five men the task didn't take long and once the first hundred pots were ready, Goku was ordered to toss them overboard one by one until the final trap was set.

All in all, the work didn't take long. Heck it took longer just to reach their destination!

"Good work today men," The Captain said looking at all of them. "We'll break for now, so rest up. In a few hours we'll start reelin' em in and then the real work begins."

"Yes sir!" chorused the crew.

Captain Orca nodded and walked away, glancing at the sky as he went. "Hmm…storm's a comin'." That could spell trouble. "Kani! Have the men keep watch."

"Aye Aye, Captain!"

Measures in place, the Captain headed up to his cabin.

As soon as his door shut, the crew disbanded, heading back to the mess hall to get something to eat and maybe play a few rounds of cards.

"Interested in a game?" Iruka asked Goku who blinked sleepily at those gathered around the table.

Normally he'd be curious to learn a new game but he had slept poorly the past few nights, afraid he'd molest Chi-Chi in his sleep, and the gentle rocking of the ship was enough to have him drifting off. He turned the man down and headed to the back rooms to take a short nap instead.

Yeah…a short nap…that sounded good…and then maybe he'd get himself something to eat…

…

"Ooooh, these will be perfect for the wedding! And maybe I'll add some of these and some of those…and aren't those pretty!"

"Huh?" Goku stuck his head out of the apple tree and spotted a small Chi-Chi plucking flowers in the field, the sun glinting off her helmet as her cape blew in the wind.

Oh! He remembered this. This was that time they hung out by the lake.

"Hey Chi-Chi!"

He hopped to the ground but when he straightened it wasn't small Chi-Chi in front of him anymore, it was big Chi-Chi, though she still wore the smaller Chi-Chi's clothes.

Goku gulped, his eyes roving over exposed curves…a sight that had been denied to him since they reunited as adults…

Without thinking he reached out to touch her and his heart skipped at the contrast of his tanned hands on her pale, milky skin, untouched by the sun…

For his eyes alone…

Goku pulled her to his chest and then they were on the ground and Chi-Chi was straddling his lap, pale strong legs on either side of his waist, her nails leaving scratch marks on his chest. His breath hitched and his body grew warm, he could feel parts of him swelling, aching, as Chi-Chi emitted the most delicious, mouthwatering scent he'd ever encountered.

He buried his face into her long silky hair, inhaling the intoxicating scent…

"Chi-Chi," he murmured, nibbling her collarbone and earning a low moan in response. He wrapped an arm around her waist, gripping her tight, and thrust his hips upward, seeking that pressure…that friction. Chi-Chi pressed back, squeezing him in between her thighs.

"Chi-Chi!"

He thrust against her again…then again…and again and again…rocking his hips, building up speed, running his tongue along Chi-Chi's neck as she dug her hands into his hair, hearing her soft gasps, smelling her sweet scent, feeling her soft, but strong body grind against him over and over…

"Aaaah, Chi-Chi!"

Goku awoke with a start, clutching his sheets tight, and felt a sticky wetness spreading all over his groin. He sat up and inspected the blanket in shock.

"I wet the bed?"

A burst of laughter alerted him to the fact he wasn't alone. Kani stood, leaning on the doorway for support as he struggled to get a hold of himself.

"Oh man!" he snickered, wandering towards the bathroom. "I was coming to check on you. The waves can be rough for first-timers, especially with a storm like this. But I guess you were dreamin' good dreams of your girl instead, huh?"

Goku's cheeks burned as his eyes widened in horror. Could this man read thoughts?!

"H-How'd you know I was dreamin' about Chi-Chi?!"

Kani made a face of disbelief and chucked a towel at him.

"What do you mean 'how'? You came all over your sheets!"

Goku caught the towel with one hand and then looked down at his soiled sheets. So this wasn't pee?

"I came? What's that?" he asked, not familiar with the phrase.

The other man's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Bro. Are you for real? You tryin' to say you never beat your meat before?"

At Goku's blank stare he stumbled back into the wall.

"Really? You never stroked the salami? Never jerked one off? You ain't never masturbated before?"

"Masturbated?"

Kani just stared before deciding this was going to take longer than he thought.

"One sec."

He stepped outside to inform the crew he was going to be awhile and then came back in and shut the door. "Okay, straight up now. Your folks never gave you the talk?"

The talk? What talk was that? Grandpa talked to him all the time while he was alive.

"I talked with Grandpa about all sorts of stuff but he died when I was a kid."

"Sorry to hear that but what about your parents?"

"Never had any." Goku shrugged. "Grandpa found me when I was a baby."

Kani nodded, beginning to understand. "Uh huh, alright, okay…but surely you had a guardian or friends? Ain't any of them ever talk to you about sex?"

Goku blinked. That's what this was about? He guessed that made sense given what he'd been dreaming about doing with Chi-Chi…though how Kani knew that was still beyond him.

"I talked about it with Chi-Chi once…but she said we should wait until we're married and that she'd explain more then."

"Hold up! You can't have your girl explain it to you. Especially not on y'all's wedding night." Kani shook his head. "I take it your girl's a good girl then, yeah?"

Goku grinned. "Chi-Chi's the only girl I know with a pure heart."

"Yeah? Well that makes y'all a matched set," the older man smirked. He went back into the closet to pull out an extra set of sheets.

"Look, why don't you clean up and put on some fresh sheets and I can explain things to you after, yeah?"

He couldn't let two innocent kids fumble their way through their wedding night. The results could be disastrous. Besides, he'd given his own kid brother the talk a few years ago and it wasn't so bad. Granted, Kumo had been ten and this guy had to be eighteen, nineteen years old, but Kumo had at least a rough idea of everything by his age. Goku seemed pure as fresh snow.

When Goku had bathed and the bed had been made, Kani took a seat and gestured for Goku to join him.

"Alright then, first up, what happened earlier is completely normal, man. Every guy's had it happen to him at one point or another."

"Even you?"

"More times than I care to admit!" Kani laughed, feeling sheepish. "But it happens. And like I said, it's happened to every guy at least once."

"So I'm not turning into some sort of a pervert?"

"Nah, as long as you're not getting off to little kids or women crying or some shit like that—" Kani paused, noting Goku's puzzled look, and backtracked. "What I mean is, it's natural to feel attraction. As long as you're not hurting anyone then you're fine."

Goku perked up at this last bit. "Is there a way to control it? To make sure I don't hurt anyone?"

"Whatchu mean?"

"I…uh…" He blushed, not wanting to admit what had been bothering him, but he knew if he wanted to be safe around Chi-Chi, then he had to tell the truth to get some answers.

Goku jumped to his feet, needing to move.

"I…I get these…urges…around Chi-Chi."

Kani nodded in understanding. "You wanna touch her."

"Yeah," Goku gulped, rubbing a hand through his hair. "I don't know how to make it stop! I don't wanna hurt her but I feel like I'm losing control!"

Kani scratched at his beard. "Ah. I gotchu. Most girls like knowin' their fellas want 'em but if your girl wants to wait, that would make things harder. Have you tried talking to her about it?"

"I don't know…there was a bad man that tried to hurt her…I don't wanna scare her or make her think I'm like him."

"Bro," Kani smirked, raising a single brow. "Men who hurt women aren't the ones askin' how to keep their girl safe. Give yourself some credit, yeah?"

"Heh…I guess that's true…" Goku smiled, taking comfort in the older man's words.

"Besides, whatchu gonna do, huh? You don't know a thing about sex!"

"I know some things!"

"Oh yeah like what?"

Goku flushed. He had never cared about not knowing anything before but for some reason he really didn't want to admit his lack of knowledge this time. He told Kani about the video he saw once where the couple took turns kissing each other's privates.

"Ha! I think you've skipped some steps, my man!" Kani laughed. "Alright, alright. Let's start at the basics, yeah? When a man's aroused, his dick gets hard…"

…

"And always make sure she finishes first. No girl likes a selfish lover."

"But how will I be able to tell?"

"Oh you'll know," Kani laughed, thumbing his nose. "Trust me on that. If you did it right, you'll know."

Goku rubbed the back of his head, overwhelmed but relieved.

Finally!

He finally had some answers to things he had always wanted to know—and things he didn't even know were possible! Who knew humans could fit together like that? Or that his dick could shoot more than just pee out of it?

Kani had been willing to tell him what no one else would. He even told him what Chi-Chi wouldn't! Like how the baby gets out. Which holy cow! Goku was glad it wouldn't be him. Just the thought made him wanna hide under the covers.

He sighed, focusing on the most important part.

He wasn't turning into a pervert.

These desires and feelings…the way his body reacted around Chi-Chi…all of it was apparently natural. Just a part of getting older. Like getting taller or old and wrinkly. Some day he'd be like that too.

And some day…after he and Chi-Chi got married, he'd be able to act on these feelings.

Goku felt a warmth rush through his body at just the thought and shook his head to focus.

It was natural. Part of the circle of life.

Still.

He would learn to control these urges. He didn't want his body reacting in weird ways around Chi-Chi. And if other men could experience these feelings and control themselves, then he knew he could do it too.

He tried not to think of his friends, knowing they weren't the best examples of self control.

He'd think of Kani and Mr. Daigo instead.

Goku clenched his fists, strengthening his resolve.

He could do this.

He would do this.

Now that the time has come…soon, gone is the day…

Goku looked up curiously, catching Kani's attention.

"What's up?" he asked him as Goku moved around the room.

There upon some distant shore…you'll hear me say…

"Do you hear that?" Goku asked, cupping an ear with one hand.

Sail to me…sail to me, let me enfold you…

Whoever was singing had a pretty voice…but something about it put him on edge.

Kani frowned. He couldn't hear anything unusual but sailors who dismissed warning signs didn't tend to live long and he wanted to live a long time.

"What's it sound like?"

—ere I am…here I am….waiting to hold you…

"Singing?"

"Singing?" He didn't hear any singing. Only satellite radios worked out here and the men didn't usually break out into songs until the last night when they celebrated a good haul by getting wasted. So then what could it…

Kani's eyes went wide as he slapped his hands over his ears. "Goku! Cover your ears!"

"Why?" Goku asked, though he did as he was told. "They're not bad."

Kani shook his head but didn't answer, instead hurrying to a drawer and pulling out several small packets. He ripped one open and shoved something in his ears before turning to Goku and tearing open another packet.

"HERE!" he shouted, handing over two foam objects. He twisted one and pointed to his ear. "WE'VE GOTTA DROWN OUT THE SIRENS!"

Goku didn't know what he was talking about but shoved the pieces of foam in his ears. Not that it was enough. Goku's senses had always been stronger than the average human. A little bit of foam might have muffled it a bit but he could still hear the words being sung.

Long as the day in the summer time…

Deep as the wine dark sea…

Goku followed a worried looking Kani out the room just as a commotion broke out in the mess hall. Toshigo had Iruka pinned to the floor and was clinging onto Manati's leg to stop him from leaving.

"KANI!" He cried, as Manati tried to shake him off. "HELP!"

I'll keep your heart with mine…

Kani tackled the other man to the ground and then motioned for Goku to take his place.

Til you come to me…

As soon as he was sure Goku had him secured, Kani ran outdoors, returning with a length of rope that he used to wrap around the two men and secure them to a support beam.

Swim to me…swim to me, let me enfold you…

The boat lurched just as he finished, hurling the three still standing against the wall as the rudders groaned and the boat rolled and swayed. .

"Shit!" Kani muttered, "What the hell was that?"

"The Captain!" Toshigo jumped to his feet and made to leave but Kani held him back, slapping another set of foam in the other man's hand.

Here I am…here I am, waiting to hold you…

Toshigo nodded his thanks and shoved the pieces in his ears before the two took off running to the wheelhouse. Goku glanced back at the tied up men, noting their glazed eyes. They were struggling to free themselves but whatever knot Kani had used wasn't budging. He didn't know what was going on but apparently whoever was singing had put those guys under some kind of spell.

Which meant they were bad and needed to be stopped.

And in the night…when our dreams are still…or when the wind flows free…

Goku hurried after the others and found them slamming into a metal door with little success. He didn't know why they needed to get in there but he could help. He reached past them, digging his fingers into the metal before yanking it off its hinges and tossing it aside. They nodded their thanks and rushed into the room, Toshigo tackling Captain Orca to the floor. Kani dodged and jumped over their wrestling forms before wrenching the ship away from its current path and heading in the opposite direction.

I'll keep your heart with mine…'til you come to me…

The ocean rose and fell hard in choppy waves that Kani navigated with a white knuckle fist, doing his best to keep the ship above the waters. He went as fast as he dared. Sirens or storms, both were trouble, but at least with a storm he had a chance.

When the waves finally began to ease and he was sure they were at least twenty miles out of range, he cut the engine and pulled out the foam from his ears. Goku and Toshigo did the same.

Kani dropped to a knee by the Captain's side, concerned as the older man muttered in his sleep.

"Tsuren…Tsuren…"

He pulled up an eyelid and cursed when he saw they were still glazed. "Toshi, go check on the others."

Toshigo rushed to do as ordered while Goku stayed behind.

"It might be too late," Kani admitted in a whisper, closing his captain's eyes once more. "Those sirens still have a hold of him. Shit! The storm must have drifted us into their territory. Who knows how long he'd been under before you heard them in the back rooms."

"Sirens?"

Kani nodded. "Monsters, like mermaids but ugly, who lure sailors in with their voices and make them crash against the shore. Most men can't resist the siren's call unless they're in love like Toshi." He shot Goku a sad smile. "The Captain used to be immune too but he lost his wife a few years back which makes him more susceptible now. We might not be able to wake him from this."

Goku studied the captain. "If we stop the sirens, could we wake him?"

"Maybe, but they're pretty vicious. And their voices get harder to keep out the closer you get."

"I can do it."

"What?" Kani shook his head. "Goku, that's kind of you but I'm not exaggerating on how strong they are. The closer you get the more difficult it is to resist their lure."

"I can do it," Goku insisted. Besides with his power pole, there was no need to get too close.

"No! No way man. I can't let you do that and I'm not risking the rest of the crew to bring you back there either."

"That's okay," he grinned. "Don't need ya."

Goku leaned out of the room and called for Nimbus. The fluffy golden cloud zipped through the air, a stark contrast against the darkened sky, until it pulled up beside him. He hopped on and waved. "Be back soon!"

"Wait Goku don't!"

But Goku was already well on his way. He shoved the little pieces of foam back in his ears and kept an eye out for any mermaid-like creature as he directed Nimbus back the way they had come, though it was difficult to see past the rain.

Goku squinted as he drew closer.

He could just make out a bit of land up ahead in the distance. He slowed to a stop and listened. Bit by bit he began to pick up on the siren's song.

—ng afloat, on shipless oceans…I did all my best to smi—

His gaze dropped to the water.

There! There were several things moving amongst the rocks beyond the shore line…some sort of creatures. Were these the sirens? Some had large fins like mermaids but a few looked more like an octopus. They all had one thing in common though, they were all green and scaly with hair that looked like seaweed.

—il your singing eyes and fingers…drew me loving to your isl—

He couldn't be sure if they were the sirens but he did know one thing.

The singing was getting louder.

Goku tore some cloth from his belt and stuffed a little more into his ears, not wanting to take any chances but it was hard. He could feel it reverberating in his bones. Is this what Kani had meant? He shook it off and tried to recall Chi-Chi's singing instead and the warm feelings it invoked…like waking up with her in his arms…he couldn't recall the words Chi-Chi used but he knew the melody.

He hummed to himself as he pulled out his power pole.

—ow that the time has com—

With a smile on his face, Goku somersaulted off Nimbus to meet the sirens and landed on a small rock in the middle of the creatures' nest. Their singing cut off abruptly as they all turned to him in surprise.

"I don't want to hurt you," he shouted. "But you need to release my friends."

The creatures stared, never having seen a human immune to their song and turned as one to their leader, who was twice the size of the rest, with tentacles that slithered over rocks and coral as the siren crawled its way closer. She smiled with scorn in her eyes.

And then she opened her mouth.

Soon gone is the day. There upon some distant shore…

Goku growled. So it was gonna be like that! He hummed his own song as loud as he could, ignoring the creature's call as he raised his pole in front of him and squeezed.

It shot out to either side and knocked out two sirens within its path, earning a hiss from the nest and a reprieve from their song. As quick as could be Goku leapt backwards into the air, slamming his pole into the first siren he saw before swinging it out behind him to smash into another as he landed a few feet away from where he'd been.

The creatures hissed and lunged, swiping across his chest as he flipped away, spinning his pole rapidly to form a shield while shoving off another. A third tried for his feet, but Goku was already on the move again, skipping from rock to rock until the creatures unleashed an unearthly wail that—even with all the padding in his ears—made them bleed, causing him to stumble.

"GAH!"

He slapped his hands over his ears, cursing, as several rushed him all at once.

Shit!

Goku just barely jumped to the side and then he was ducking and dodging, ignoring the sting of their razor sharp claws that sliced through his clothing and left thin lines of blood. He stumbled out of their reach as they unleashed another wail and this time he could feel his knees buckle but he gritted his teeth and stayed upright, refusing to go down. He shoved off a siren and socked another across the jaw, kneed a creature in the gut and swung another by its tail.

They wailed again and this time Goku faltered, allowing one siren to sink her hooks into his arm.

He screamed and pried the creature off.

"Let go!"

But as soon as he managed to throw the siren aside, another took its place, digging her claws into his shoulder just as two sank their teeth into his leg.

"NO!"

Goku blasted his ki, dislodging them all, but then more sirens appeared with dozens right behind them. They piled on top, one after the other, dragging him down into the water before slamming him hard against the rocks, hurting his head.

He groaned, feeling his arms pulled taught, as their claws sunk deep into his flesh. Every breath seemed to lodge them deeper still and he barely managed to get his bearings before their leader slithered forward.

She studied him curiously, never having encountered such a man before, and pressed a single claw against his cheek, leaving a bloody trail as she dragged it down past his chest all the way to his waist.

"Such a fine specimen," she grinned, flashing jagged teeth. Her voice grated on his ears like small daggers. "A quick death is no good for the likes of you."

She stabbed her hand through his shoulder.

"GYAAAAAAH."

The siren closed her eyes in pleasure, relishing his screams. But she took pleasure in many things, all of which she would get out of this foolish man who had dared to charge headfirst into their territory.

She started low, allowing the song to build in her chest as it rose in pitch and tempo. It grew stronger with each grunt from the man, and slowly began to make its way into his body. A simple melody meant to entrance. It would echo through his bones, it would pulse through his blood, it would drown out all his senses until he was a slave to their whims!

"No! No! I won't!" Goku cried, feeling a fog begin to creep over his mind. "Let go!"

She dug her nails in deeper. And slowly lowered her mouth to his.

"NO!"

He had to break free! He just needed to focus and remember! There was something he needed to remember!

But as the fog grew stronger and his body began to relax, his mind struggled.

Remember what? What was it he was forgetting? There was a figure in his mind…a fuzzy outline of a…a girl? He knew he knew her but who…?

Goku sniffed, catching a hint of smoke.

Smoke…and…and something else…smoke and…smoke and wildflowers!

Chi-Chi!

Chi-Chi was what he needed to remember…but not just her. There was something else. Something to do with her.

Goku tried to imagine Chi-Chi in his mind. Her pale skin and soft hair and that smile that she only gave to him. The strength in her fists and her delicate frame. The way she felt in his arms. He pictured her humming a little tune, as she stood over a stove or brushed her hair before bed.

A tune.

One he heard a hundred times before.

One he heard at his bedside as she nursed him back to health.

That's it!

"HA!"

Goku's body pulsed with energy that sent all but their queen flying off of him.

"So you still have some fight," she sneered, tightening her tentacles around him. "Well, it'll take more than that boy!"

"You asked for it!"

He concentrated his energy in his throat.

"Kame…hame…HA!"

The wave burst from his mouth and shredded the siren's body apart.

"Ha!" Goku laughed, feeling the creature's tentacles fall away. He kicked the remains away and leapt into the air, ripping the disembodied hand from his shoulder as he went. It was time to finish this.

"Oh boy," he grinned. "Somehow I tired out faster than my fight with Piccolo."

His energy was nearly depleted but there were still more than a dozen sirens below.

"Guess I better make this count."

He put his hands together and began to draw what little ki remained.

"Kame…Hame…Ha!"

The wave that surged out wasn't as strong as his previous but it was wide, and it tore through the remaining sirens in a matter of seconds until nothing remained, not even the rocks.

Goku dropped from the sky, drained, as Nimbus came swooping down to catch him.

"Thanks buddy."

He patted the faithful cloud and then dug into his belt, pulling out the small little pouch containing the senzu beans.

"Boy am I glad I have these." He popped one in his mouth and chewed, feeling the rush of adrenaline that always accompanied taking a senzu. "Ah! That's better."

Goku hopped to his feet and examined his clothes. They had certainly seen better days. Oh well, he had another set on the ship.

He peeked down below, searching for signs of life but saw none. He scratched his head. That was too bad but he had asked nicely. With one last shrug, he swooped down to grab his power pole and headed back to the ship. The storm was clearing and he was sure the others would be waking up from whatever spell they'd been under soon. Which meant it was time to get to work.

As the sun came out, Goku felt his spirits rise, and his thoughts returned to the problem he'd been facing before the sirens had made their presence known. He had one week to get his body under control and then he'd be back by Chi-Chi's side.

He smirked and urged Nimbus faster.

"Piece of cake."