Summary: Ophelia turns one!
Warnings: Smut - 18+, NSFW, Sexual Content, Mature Themes, Language, Minors DNI & Unprotected Sex - maybe its time to try for another baby?
Request: No
Part: Twenty-Two
Updated: 24.04.25
The First Birthday | Part Twenty-Two
TDS Masterlist | Masterlist
The First Birthday - Part Twenty-Two
Cillian was in bed already, perched against the soft cushions, they’d thrown a huge first birthday party for Ophelia, friends and family filled the house for most of the day, the house resembled a wild night in a fairy palace.
Cillian was grateful when the last of the guests left, they'd been apart for a few weeks and he selfishly wanted Eden to himself. They’d taken one look at the carnage in every downstairs room and decided to tackle it in the morning.
Ophelia had settled down with no trouble, exhausted from being the centre of attention all day. Eden left him with a kiss to go have a quick shower, he could hear her humming from behind the closed door, the smell of vanilla body wash filled his senses.
Finally, the door opened with a gust of steam, she stepped out in a pair of small black shorts pulled up high on her hips, he felt the instant stir in his boxers as his eyes traveled her body, she was busy finishing up her night routine to even notice him watching.
Cillian cleared his throat as she made her way over to the bed, she eyed him curiously “you ok Murphy?” she quizzed, he felt the heat creeping up his chest to his cheeks at getting caught.
“Ah you just look gorgeous all the time darling” his breath caught in his throat. Eden giggled lightly changing direction, padding over to his side of the bed, he took a deep breath, palmed at himself over the grey cotton material of his boxers.
She lent down kissing him, full on this time not like when she left for a shower, Eden swung her leg over his hips, settling herself down on his lap, hands carding through his hair as she rocked down on him he hissed out a breath.
His Tommy cut was less harsh this season, with Tommy getting older Cillian hadn’t had to have as much shaved off the sides. “Missed you a lot” he hummed eyes locked with hers, she smiled rocking forward causing friction against both of them.
Her mouth fell open at the sensation as he let out a low groan “Missed you to Cill” she pouted as he caught her lips with his in a deep kiss, tongues clashing.
Cillian hooked his finger in the elastic of her shorts, he pulled them expertly down her hips to mid-thigh, she was watching him, moving her hips up to let him pull the material down to her knees, she blushed at the small patch her excitement had left on his boxers.
“already excited huh?” he chuckled lightly, hand splayed on her thigh, massaging the soft skin she bit her lip, dropping her face into his neck with a nod.
“I like it” he whispered, kissing the shell of her ear “I love how much you want me” his finger was dancing dangerously close to her wet cunt “how much you still want me” he nipped at her ear.
-
Cillian dragged his fingers between her slick folds, his other hand lifting her chin up so he could watch her. “Cill..I’ll always want you” she whined trying to turn her face away he slowly pushed his middle finger into her cunt not breaking eye contact.
“So wet” he commented, heat spreading across her chest and cheeks at his comments, her hips were rocking out of her control the pressure building in her stomach.
It had been a few weeks since his hands had been on her “I’m..uh not going to last” she muttered, eyes fluttering closed. “That's fine, darling let go” he was nipping at the skin of her neck, her hips rocking her pussy down onto his palm.
Cillian held her by the base of her back as she shook through her orgasm, it was over almost as quickly as it had begun, her moans were making him painfully hard. Eden lifted her head from his shoulder with a small smile on her face “you good?” he asked gently as she nodded.
“It's been a while” she kissed his chest, hands eagerly tugging at his boxers as she moved back on his legs to get them down better, his cock sprung free, pink, leaking, Cillian laughed at the way her eyes lit up at the sight.
Her hand was curling around his cock, slowly pumping him the way that made him moan out, throw his head back, hot puffs of air escaping his lips. Her thumb sliding over his tip catching the beads of precum.
“fuck, I just need you” he was muttering hands catching her wrist to stop her movements.
-
Cillian watched as Eden slipped into the bed next to him, “think we did it this time?” he asked, wrapping her cool body in his arms, pushing his legs through hers to tangle them together.
“Maybe” Eden linked her fingers with his “hope so” she added nuzzling back into him ready for sleep after a few glasses of wine, a busy day chasing after a one year old and two orgasms.
They’d decided with Ophelia turning a year and most of Cillians filming only being six months of the year, they would try for another baby.
Cillian pulled her tightly into him, dropping a kiss to her shoulder “me too darling” he agreed with a yawn, but Eden was already asleep soft snores leaving her parted lips.
Goku exhaled as he tried to steady himself. His closed eyes flew open at the sudden pull. Pace yourself Goku told himself. Get control. His body grew taut at the sudden force. Whoo. He was so out of shape. A year ago he could pace himself, draw it out but now his out of shape body was giving up way too easily.
A sudden jolt forced him to bury half his face in the pillow. His cast covered hands were useless. They momentarily flailed as he couldn’t get a firm grip on anything. To be this vulnerable, Goku would hate it if he was with someone he despised or didn’t trust. With someone he loved, Goku absolutely loved it.
Hips thrust up but firm hands forced him down as relief came. Goku’s lower body felt like jelly but the rest of him felt like a satisfied cat getting that elusive itch scratched. He wasn’t completely satisfied but it was enough to tide him over until he could go there.
ChiChi’s petite body slid up from under the covers. She rest her head against his still rapidly rising and falling chest. “Feeling better?”
“Yeah…. that last one did the trick.” As much as he needed some relief, Goku knew ChiChi needed it, too. It’s been a year for both. Also…. he could smell her. “Your turn.”
“My turn?”
His cast covered hand poked a breast. His hands couldn’t do anything but his mouth could offer some relief. “If you open your dress I can do something. If you wanna lay down or sit on me….”
ChiChi laughed into his chest. “No. I had to hide under the covers to do this here. I’ll be too vulnerable any other way. It’s not home, Goku. Besides, you’ll be out of the hospital soon.” She snuggled against him. “It’s a couple more weeks. A month at the most. I’ll… manage.”
During the day, Goku received visits from Master Roshi, Dr. Briefs, Gyu-Mao, Aki, Mr. Olitz and Mr. Lupp. With frequent visitors and check-ins by the nurse and doctor on staff, there wasn’t a chance for Goku and ChiChi to really talk to one another. Those moments were saved on the nights ChiChi stayed over. Tonight, a few kisses and touches led Goku to desiring something he hadn’t felt in a while. It was ironic since Goku didn’t see tonight leading to this moment after the tense talk he had with ChiChi earlier.
A soft pillow slapped Goku across his face. “You let Vegeta go?!”
At least it wasn’t Master Roshi’s staff. “Uh, yeah. I’ll defeat him before he hurts anyone on Earth. I promise. It’s me he wants a rematch with, ChiChi.”
“Oh, Goku,” ChiChi groaned. “I know you’ve been hungry for a fight with a strong opponent but this is too much.”
“I know it’s selfish but I can’t help it. I want this fight. I thought I was invincible after King Kai’s training and Vegeta showed me I wasn’t.”
“Maybe if you didn’t spend six months running to King Kai’s place and if you had that extra month training, things would’ve been different.”
“I don’t know,” Goku disagreed. “Vegeta was really strong.”
ChiChi fluffed Goku’s pillow. As long as he didn’t say anything else ridiculous, ChiChi wouldn’t smack him with it again. “Look at what you’ve accomplished in five months. Imagine if you had an extra month or two. Maybe it wouldn’t have been a strain on your body to push it to Kaio Ken times four.”
ChiChi had a point. While he lived with King Kai, even he wondered how much more training he could’ve gotten in eight months or even eleven. It took him a day to get from King Kai’s planet to the check in station with King Yemma. If he had a whole year with King Kai, his friends wouldn’t have died. He would’ve been on Earth waiting for Vegeta and Nappa.
“Goku, did you also spare Vegeta because he’s a Saiyan like you?”
That question threw him. “No. Why would I do that?”
ChiChi shrugged. “After Gohan was born, you started wondering about your family. There were times you questioned your parents and where you came from. Raditz didn’t live long to tell you anything. Maybe deep down you’re hoping Vegeta will.”
Goku snorted. He wasn’t thinking that deeply when he spared Vegeta but now that he had time to think about it, maybe he could ask Vegeta about the Saiyans. Who was he kidding? So far the Saiyan race he’s come to know were evil, blood thirsty people. There wasn’t anything redeeming about them. “Maybe it’s a good thing that meteor destroyed my birth planet. Maybe the universe is a better place without Saiyans.”
“Maybe but you have to come to terms to what your people were.” ChiChi caught Goku’s curious stare. “Oh, you can say you’re a Saiyan raised on Earth to distance yourself from them; to exclude yourself from what Saiyans have done but you still have to accept your people, Goku.”
“How can I accept people who were ruthless murderers, ChiChi?” Goku argued. “My brother kidnapped our son. Even when I showed him mercy, he double crossed me.”
“I’m not saying you should condone what they’ve done but because of their ways, you were sent to Earth. You came into my life and we created a family. Everyone has a past they are not proud of or have that family skeleton in the closet you want to ignore but we have to accept it. My father wasn’t always a good man. I was very angry, embarrassed and guilty when I learned all the wicked things he did. It took a long time for me to accept my heritage.”
“Guilty?” Goku questioned. “But you didn’t do anything.”
“I know but I still felt guilt for what he did. Maybe you don’t feel guilt for what Saiyans have done but you do feel anger you come from a race that have done so many wicked things when you have spent your life doing the opposite. Why else do you say you’re a Saiyan raised on Earth if not to distance yourself from what they did?”
ChiChi and King Kai were the only ones he talked to about being a Saiyan. With King Kai, Goku expressed curiosity in Saiyan culture but he always emphasized he’s happy to have grown up on Earth. Leave it to ChiChi to pierce the heart of the matter. “You know me well. But I can’t accept myself as simply ‘Saiyan’ right now. Maybe some time in the future but not now.”
“I know,” ChiChi understood. Going through a similar experience herself, she knew time was needed. With that settled, ChiChi moved on to another topic. “I still think it’s foolish you let Vegeta go. Didn’t going soft on Raditz teach you anything? You lost your life and year from your family.”
“I know but it was worth it that I met King Kai.”
ChiChi slapped him across his face with the pillow again. “It’s not worth it you lost a year from us!”
“No, but I did get stronger. I thought I reached my limit but King Kai pushed me further. Now that I fought Vegeta, I know I can go even higher. I’m probably nowhere near my limit, ChiChi. I need to keep training until I reach it.”
Reach his limit? “You’re already the strongest in the world, Goku. What are you trying to prove?”
“Being the strongest on Earth ain’t enough, ChiChi. I need to be stronger.”
“As in the universe?” What unattainable goal was Goku trying to reach? “That’s impossible, Goku.”
“It’s not impossible if you think it can happen and I know it can, ChiChi.”
This was madness, ChiChi thought. “It can’t, Goku. We’re now discovering there’s life on other planets. That means there are people different from us; there could be people stronger than you.”
“Then I’ll get stronger than them.”
“But, Goku—”
“I have to be stronger!” Goku snapped. “I can’t protect you and Gohan when I’m weak like this! That fight with Vegeta shouldn’t have ended like it did. I should’ve defeated him without breaking my body! I wasn’t strong enough to defeat Raditz on my own and he took Gohan! I wasn’t strong enough to defeat Vegeta on my own! I’m still stuck in this hospital because I’m weak, and since I’m weak, Gohan has to go in space without us. Bulma and Krillin will look out for him but I should be with him! I hate feeling weak and no one’s gonna stop me from getting stronger!”
It wasn’t often Goku yelled and ranted but when he did, ChiChi listened. She heard everything he said; understood his helpless. She had similar feelings when her husband and son were away from her. She understood Goku’s need to be stronger but he was desiring for the impossible in her eyes.
“To be the strongest in the universe, that’s almost godlike status, Goku. That’s not you. You’re not an Earthling but you are still a mortal. You can bleed, get hurt and die like us. This desire to be the strongest, this thirst for a fight is the Saiyan in you. Maybe you’re getting closer to accepting your heritage sooner than you thought.”
Goku wasn’t sure about that. He still saw himself as a ‘Saiyan raised on Earth’ and not ‘Saiyan.’ ChiChi was worrying over nothing.
Goku poke his head outside his hospital room. He spotted a couple of nurses sitting at the nursing station. He couldn’t leave this way. He thought with it being five in the morning they wouldn’t be here. He closed the door, leaned against it and sighed. He had to get out of here. Thirty days in the hospital. Goku knew he healed enough for a real training session. Since walking out of the hospital was no good, he’ll sneak out the window with Nimbus.
It was the sound of the phone ringing that woke ChiChi from her sleep. She went to bed late after spending hours preparing meals she will take to the hospital. Her face pressed against the pillow as a hand slipped out of bed to answer the ringing phone. ChiChi pulled the receiver to her ear. “Hello?” she mumbled. ChiChi listened to the woman on the other end spoke. “Mm-hmm,” she sleepily responded.
ChiChi’s eyes flew open. She immediately sat up. “How long has he been gone?!” ChiChi’s hand tightened on the phone. “I’ll find him and I’ll bring him back!”
ChiChi slammed the phone down so hard it bounced. “That foolish man,” ChiChi snarled. “Breaking out of the hospital so he can train? He’s gonna need those dragon balls after I’m done with him!!”
Dawn broken over the horizon an hour ago. He should’ve returned to the hospital but Goku refused. Initially, he enjoyed the freedom of being out but after testing his body, Goku was also disappointed.
“This is pathetic. I know I’m still recovering but I should be stronger than this.”
Without his bandages, he was flexible but slow. His bones weren’t broken but his body was still sore. There were spasms that flared up but the pain was temporarily. After thirty days in the hospital, Goku expected to be in better shape than this. He wasn’t going back to the hospital until he got a proper workout.
“Goku!”
Uh-oh. That voice. Goku looked up to see ChiChi flying down on Nimbus. He was a dead man. ChiChi got upset with him when she caught him exercising in the hospital. Breaking out to train guaranteed his death.
“How did you find me?”
ChiChi stepped off Nimbus. She smirked as she patted his cloud. “Your friend brought me here.”
Goku slapped his forehead. He didn’t think ChiChi would use Nimbus to find him. He didn’t think Nimbus would betray him.
“Goku, are you crazy?! You escaped the hospital! You’re not recovered from your injuries!”
“I’m going crazy lying in bed all day, ChiChi. It’s been a month! Bulma’s Dad should have my ship ready any day now. He told me it will get me to Namek in six days so I need to be ready to go when he’s finished.”
ChiChi knew all about that but it wasn’t justification for Goku to break out of the hospital. “Then wait for the senzu beans to be ready! You’re only making your recovery longer training while you’re still hurt.” She grabbed his arm. “Come on! We’re going back!”
Goku broke from ChiChi’s grasp. “No! I can’t leave yet, ChiChi. Just pretend you didn’t see me. Give me an hour or two to test myself out. Please!!”
Goku expected ChiChi to yell at him, force him on Nimbus and drag him back to the hospital kicking and screaming. Instead, she smirked again and crossed her arms over her chest.
When ChiChi smirked, Goku knew he was in serious trouble.
“All right, Goku. I’ll make a deal with you. If you can defeat me, I’ll let you train.”
Wait, what?
Goku blinked. Surely he heard wrong. “You want me to spar with you?” ChiChi nodded. “You’re not joking. You mean it?” ChiChi’s second nod left Goku laughing at her. “That’s not fair, ChiChi.”
His laugh annoyed her. “Think you’ll defeat me?”
“Well….” Wasn’t it obvious? “Yeah.”
“You’re still weak,” she pointed out to him, “and I’ve gotten stronger in the last year. I’ll be more of a challenge than you think.”
Goku laughed again. ChiChi was overconfident as always. It reminded him of their first fight. “So, once I defeat you, you’ll let me train? You promise you won’t stop me?”
“Yes.”
This should be fun. He and ChiChi haven’t sparred together in a year. Sure, he was still injured but he was confident he had enough strength in him to defeat his wife. He can measure where he stands in terms of strength with this match. This was a win in more ways than one.
“On three.” Goku prepared himself. “One… two…” As expected, ChiChi started before he said three. She always did that; jumping a second early in hopes of getting the upper hand. It never worked.
This time was different.
ChiChi’s speed was unexpected. So were the string of slaps across his face with the final one sending Goku flying back several feet. Before he could get his bearings, ChiChi was hot on his tail, using Nimbus to fly to him.
Goku blocked her punch but not her kick to his gut. Either he was weaker than he thought or ChiChi really did get stronger. Maybe it’s a combination of both. That kick to his stomach rattled his entire body.
Though slow in his reflexes, Goku quickly picked up ChiChi’s strategy. ChiChi relied on a distraction to get the upper hand and speed with the rest.
It worked. With his weakened strength and slower reflexes, he wasn’t moving fast enough to block all of ChiChi’s strikes and ChiChi wasn’t showing any signs of slowing down. A flurry of punches and kicks struck his chest, legs and back. Goku jumped in the air using a familiar tactic during their first match. Goku expected ChiChi to jump in the sky. Unlike her, he could maintain flight. ChiChi could get a few hits in but she’ll have to come down while he stayed in the air. When she jumped again, Goku would use the same technique he used to defeat her. From his height, he will create enough wind in his punch that’ll slam her to the ground. It’ll hurt and he hated that but it will be enough for submit ChiChi to defeat.
Once again, Goku underestimated ChiChi. Instead of jumping in the air, ChiChi used Nimbus to fly to him.
“What the….” He blocked what would’ve been a direct punch to his face but missed the kick to his side. How did she learn to move so fast? How did ChiChi enable herself to use Nimbus so fluidly? He helped her fly Nimbus but ChiChi was still timid at times. Now she used his cloud as a weapon. She circled him and slipped in sneak attacks. He blocked a few but the hits she got on him were painful. Raw instinct told him to strike back but Goku couldn’t. As many times as they sparred, as many times ChiChi told him to not go easy, Goku never hit her. He always won dodging and blocking ChiChi’s strikes or subduing her by pinning her arms, legs or body on the ground or against his.
Fighting in the sky was more of an advantage for ChiChi and not him so Goku returned to the ground. At least the playing field was even. ChiChi must’ve thought so, too, for after a round of blocks from him she nailed a high front kick that perfectly hit Goku’s chin and sent him soaring in the sky. The blow was painful and left Goku feeling he had no choice but to strike back. He’ll go easy. One hit will daze her enough for him to pin her down until she gave up.
“…..hame…..”
What? Goku caught himself in midflight. ChiChi was flying towards him on Nimbus. Her hands. No. She couldn’t be.
“Ha….me…..”
A ball of energy formed in ChiChi’s hands. She knew how to create one but this wave was the biggest he’s seen from ChiChi. He could also feel the Ki behind it. It was never this strong from her before. ChiChi wasn’t bluffing. She really did train hard in this year alone!
“HA!” ChiChi thrust the Kamehameha Wave on Goku at full force.
“Oh, sh—”Goku put his hands out to catch the wave. He pushed back to revert it but ChiChi wasn’t budging. Dammit! His competitive blood was stirring. He could not lose this match! He summoned his hidden reserves. If he lost, then he couldn’t train until the senzu beans were ready. Thirty days already passed. How much longer would he have to wait?
Yes! Yes! He could feel it! ChiChi was falling back. She exerted herself with that speed attack earlier.
“Give up!” Goku didn’t want to her hurt. He didn’t want ChiChi attacked by her own Kamehameha Wave.
“You give up!” ChiChi yelled back. “You’re too injured to fight. You’re gonna hurt yourself!”
Oh, she was stubborn. He was, too. He pushed back harder showing ChiChi he had the upper hand in this. As soon as ChiChi felt the power of the wave, she pull back. She’ll give up. At least he hoped so.
ChiChi refused to give up. Catching her own second wind, ChiChi shoved the wave back at Goku. The wave edged closer to consuming him. This woman. She was frustrating him but boiling his competitive blood at the same time. It was exciting but infuriating to think he might lose. Digging deeper, Goku scraped the bottom of his reserves and retaliated. Yes. He could feel ChiChi falling back again. Victory was his.
The first spasm shot up his right arm. The second went up his back into his neck. It was paralyzing; his strength dropped enough for ChiChi to gain victory and push her Kamehameha Wave on him in a direct attack that swallowed him whole.
Goku felt the Kamehameha Wave burn through his body. His screamed echoed over the mountainous terrain as his skin and insides burned. ChiChi had full control of the wave. She used enough of the power from the wave to hurt him but not kill him.
Goku’s body plummet to the ground. There was nothing he could do to stop himself from slamming against the rocky pavement hard. Luckily, ChiChi jumped in the air, caught him in her arms and brought him down for a smooth landing.
ChiChi held Goku in her lap as she waited for Goku to recover. Even though the fighting was over, Goku wouldn’t admit defeat. He pulled himself out of ChiChi’s grasp and stepped away from her. “I’m….not giving…up…” he slurred and stumbled. He couldn’t admit defeat. Losing meant he couldn’t fight anymore. Losing meant he will have to wait for the senzu beans. “I will…..” He fell forward and crashed into ground face first.
ChiChi was at his side immediately. She turned Goku over and rest his head in her lap. “I’m sorry,” ChiChi apologized in a whispered apology, “but it was for your own good.”
Seeing ChiChi’s soothing gaze, feeling her fingers caress his face, Goku’s exhausted and frustrated face turned into a smile. Oh, well. It was an uncontested defeat. He couldn’t be angry. ChiChi was right. He was pushing himself too far. Perhaps, he should feel embarrassed his wife defeated him but he felt the opposite.
He was proud and aroused.
His hand cupped the back of ChiChi’s neck. He pulled her down to press her lips against his. ChiChi allowed the kiss but pulled back before he wanted her to. “You’re so strong,” he slurred while caressing her neck. “How did ya…..”
“Without a husband and son to care for, I had a lot of time on my hands,” ChiChi was happy Goku wasn’t angry at his loss. “I remembered our lessons and applied myself. I trained and pushed myself when I wanted to stop. I even climbed Korin’s Tower. I thought if I found Gohan I would use my new strength on Piccolo.”
Goku pulled her down again for another kiss. “Korin’s Tower,” Goku repeated when ChiChi broke from him. “You climb…?”
“I did.”
Goku grinned. “I like it. My wife is so strong.”
Goku pulled ChiChi to him for a third kiss but she stopped him. Goku was delirious and needed treatment. ChiChi retrieved a capsule from her pocket and tossed it. An airship appeared from the puff of smoke. “Come on, Goku.” ChiChi picked up her husband. She carried him inside the ship. “Let’s get back to the hospital.”
The sofa of the airship was reclined. ChiChi thought it would be more comfortable for Goku to lie here than on the floor. As she prepared to strap Goku in, Goku grabbed ChiChi by the collar of her dress and yank her down on him.
“Goku! What…..” Her lips collided with his; one arm came around her waist while the other gripped her backside to massage her front against his. ChiChi’s eyes grew wide, her cheeks flush as she felt what Goku wanted. What was Goku thinking?!
ChiChi broke the kiss. She pulled up only to have Goku pull her down again. “Goku,” ChiChi froze as she caught the raw need in his eyes. That look. She knew that look. When he looked like that… No! No she told herself. They couldn’t do this. “Have some decency!” she gripped his chest and pulled up. “You’re still recovering!” One hand reached up to open her cheongsam. ChiChi slapped his face. “Stop that!”
The slap aroused Goku even more. Such fiery spirit in his wife. “Ah, ChiChi, you know how I get when we spar.” He tugged the front clip of her bra. Her breasts bounced free. “Let’s fool around before we go back. We haven’t in a year.”
ChiChi’s eyes shut close. Her hand gripped the sofa as Goku grabbed a teat and suckled hungrily. “Wait….” ChiChi panted. This wasn’t right. It felt so good to be touched this way after a year but it wasn’t right. Goku was hurt now and needed a doctor… despite his need for intimacy. Ooo. He was pinching and squeezing the other one. Maybe it could work. Goku was eager and if she was careful on top of him. Maybe…
Teeth sank in her breast as Goku suddenly grunted in pain. Those damn spasms. Grimacing in her own pain, ChiChi pushed Goku’s face from her breast and jumped off the sofa. She spotted Goku rubbing his lower back while she rubbed her tender breast. “Damn spasm,” Goku grumbled. When the pain subsided, he noticed ChiChi adjusting her bra. “What are you doing?”
“I’m getting dressed and taking you back to the hospital.”
“No, wait,” Goku whined. “We can still do it.” He rose but the pain flared up again. He settled back on the sofa. “We’ve done it with you on top.” He waved her over. “Come on.”
ChiChi buttoned up her cheongsam. Her breast still stung. The mood was gone. “Goku, we’re not gonna have our first time in a year like this. Don’t you dare pout after what you did!” She left him to sit in the pilot’s seat. “The senzu beans should be ready in a few days.” She rolled her eyes at his whining. “Oh, stop it. It’s not like we have to wait another year.”
Goku felt he was in time out. Ever since his escape from the hospital, ChiChi kept a sharp eye on him. The hospital staff didn’t argue against ChiChi moving into Goku’s room. At night, ChiChi made sure Goku didn’t escape. During the day, ChiChi got a break from the doctors and nursing staff and also visits by Aki, Mr. Olitz and Mr. Lupp.
Goku was growing impatient. Korin told him the senzu beans would be ready in a month. It’s been forty-four days. What was taking so long? Was Yajirobe sneakily eating them behind Korin’s back?
“I really can’t work on this now.” ChiChi had been knitting all morning. Yesterday, she knitted a scarf and gloves for Gohan. Today she worked on a set for Goku. ChiChi dumped the round yarn balls and needles in her knitting basket. “My mind can’t concentrate. I can’t stop thinking about Gohan.”
“Gohan?”
“It’s been thirty-four days. We should’ve heard something by now.”
“Yeah.” Goku kept up with the days, too. Master Roshi told him Bulma left him with a radio. She promised to radio in once they’ve landed. Each passing day, Master Roshi visited with no news and Goku grew increasingly worried.
“I wish there was a way to contact them.” ChiChi got up and went to the window. “Even if they haven’t reached Namek yet, they should call in to say they’re fine.”
Goku kept from ChiChi the knowledge of the radio. He knew ChiChi would visit Master Roshi’s island everyday trying to talk to Gohan. Given the tension between his former teacher and wife, Goku thought it wise to keep them at a distance. Even when Master Roshi dropped by, ChiChi made an excuse to leave the room. Goku wasn’t sure if the two would ever get along.
“You’re bored,” Goku told her. ChiChi was getting stir crazy being in the hospital most of the day and all night. If he could get her to leave, ChiChi could relax and he could exercise. “Why don’t you go shopping? You like doing that.”
“I know what you’re doing.” She turned to him. That innocent look. She was onto him. “You’re trying to get me to leave so you can escape again.”
“I promise I won’t escape.”
Maybe not, but ChiChi knew Goku will do something she didn’t approve of. “But you’ll sneak in some exercises.”
“That’s better than escaping.” ChiChi rolled her eyes. “I’ve been really good, ChiChi. I haven’t exercised since I came back. I’m growing soft because of it.”
“You’re healing.”
“Take a break, ChiChi,” Goku suggested. “An hour or two. Get out of the hospital. Breathe some fresh air.” Goku tried to think of something that will appease ChiChi. “Shopping!” Yes, ChiChi liked that. “There are shops here you can go to. Come on. I know you’re bored. I hate seeing you unhappy.”
ChiChi sighed. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to leave for an hour or two. She’s never shopped in West City. There were nice things here. Maybe it will take her mind off Gohan and Goku for a while. “There’s a mall near the hospital so I won’t be far away.” It was a warning to him in case he did try to escape the hospital.
“I’ll be here when you come back.” He was almost bouncing watching ChiChi pick up her purse. Finally, he’ll exercise again! “Whatcha gonna get?”
ChiChi shrugged. “I don’t know. I might window shop.”
“Get something for me?” Goku requested hopefully.
ChiChi chuckled. “What do you want?”
“Food.”
ChiChi laughed. “Why did I ask? All right. I’ll be back soon.” With a quick kiss on his lips, ChiChi departed.
As soon as ChiChi left, Goku sat on the floor to do sit-ups. Goku only had an hour alone before his doctor and nurse checked on him. They didn’t approve he wasn’t following orders again. Master Roshi dropped in as he was carried back to bed.
Master Roshi looked around cautiously. “ChiChi, isn’t around, is she?” When Bulma explained what was happening on Namek, she made it very clear to him ChiChi shouldn’t be told what’s going on. Master Roshi had his doubts about following Bulma’s orders but the closer he got to the hospital he realized Bulma was right. ChiChi didn’t need to know. She was already upset with Gohan going to Namek. Last thing he needed was an ‘I told you so’ or an angry ChiChi attacking him Gohan was stranded on Namek with Vegeta.
“She stepped out for a while,” Goku told him.
That was good to hear. After frisking the nurse, Master Roshi informed Goku of the dreadful news. “Bulma, Krillin and Gohan made it to Namek safely but they’re not alone. Vegeta’s there, too.”
“Vegeta?!” Goku echoed. “He’s recovered already?!” It was always a possibility but Goku hoped Vegeta’s recovery would take longer than his.
“He’s not alone,” Master Roshi warned Goku. “There are at least ten comrades with him. They destroyed our group’s spaceship and they’re stranded.”
Gohan. Dammit. I should’ve let Krillin finish off Vegeta when he had the chance. If my recklessness cost Gohan his life…..
“Among the ten there’s one who’s Ki exceeds Vegeta.”
“No…” The bad news wouldn’t stop coming. Master Roshi had to be wrong. Gohan can’t be stranded on a planet with Vegeta. There can’t be someone stronger than him. “No…. no….” I can’t stay in the hospital. I don’t care if my body is still broken, I’m going to Namek now. Dr. Briefs better have that ship ready.
Hope came in the unexpected arrival of Yajirobe. Korin’s senzu beans were finally ready. After popping one in his mouth, Goku’s body immediately heal. He jumped out of bed and broke out of his cast, shocking his doctor and nurse of his quick recovery.
No time to waste. Gotta go. Gotta go. Gotta go. Goku ripped off his hospital gown and dressed in a fighting gi King Kai sent him. As he dressed, Goku felt himself brimming with excitement. He was on his way to Namek to rescue Gohan, Krillin and Bulma but he also felt a twinge of excitement in seeing the one stronger than Vegeta. What would it be like to fight him? “Namek, here I come!”
After swiping the remaining bag of senzu beans from Yajirobe, an explanation to Master Roshi how Dr. Briefs built him a second ship, Goku summoned Nimbus, jumped out the window and headed for Bulma’s house.
Halfway to Bulma’s house, Goku slapped his forehead as he suddenly remembered. “ChiChi!” She was at the mall. She should know what’s going on. ChiChi’s Ki wasn’t far away but he needed to get to Namek now. As much as he wanted, he couldn’t drop off at the mall and tell her what’s going on.
“Master Roshi will tell ChiChi,” Goku told himself. “He wouldn’t keep this from her. Not after our talk.” Goku was sure of it. ChiChi would be worried but she will take comfort knowing he’s on the way to save their son.
Master Roshi remained in Goku’s hospital room waiting. Yajirobe called him nuts and left after learning why Master Roshi remained after Goku left. The baffled doctor and nurse left to resume their rounds checking on the other patients on the floor. Master Roshi thought he was fool, too, but he rather handle this now than have an angry ChiChi coming to his island demanding answers like she did a year ago.
“I’m back, Goku!” ChiChi cheerfully announced as she entered the room with a few shopping bags in her hands. “I got you something from the food court and----“ she froze. The door swung shut behind her. ChiChi spotted Goku’s empty bed. With eyes darting around the room, her husband was nowhere to be found. The only one here was Master Roshi.
The betrayal! He told her he will be here. ChiChi balled her fists. How dare her husband lie to her so he could run off to train again! ChiChi marched to the old martial arts master, grabbed his tie and yanked him forward. “Where’s Goku?!”
“He left.”
“I’ll find him!” ChiChi snarled, releasing Master Roshi. “I’ll drag him back to wherever he’s training and chain him to the bed! How dare he lie to me! He sent me away so he could fly off to train!”
“Actually, he’s on his way to Namek.”
“Namek?”
“Yajirobe dropped off the senzu beans. Goku healed and didn’t waste time flying to Bulma’s house. He said Dr. Briefs built a second spaceship. It will get to Namek in six days.”
“I know that!” ChiChi shut him up. She knew about the ship and the updates Dr. Brief gave Goku. ChiChi knew Goku will leave but she hoped to convince Goku to take her with him. If the trip was as safe as Bulma projected, ChiChi didn’t think anything wrong in her tagging along. “He could’ve waited until I got back to let me know this. Goku knew I wasn’t gonna be gone long. Why was he in such a rush to leave?”
“No reason,” Master Roshi lied. “He just wanted to get to Namek. Oh!” he snapped his fingers. “Bulma, Krillin and Gohan have arrived safely on Namek, too. The Nameks are helping them. They’re nice like Kami. Since Goku’s ship will get to Namek in six days, they’ll ride back with him. They’ll be home in two weeks.”
“How long has Goku been gone?”
“About thirty minutes.”
“Goku will need Dr. Briefs to teach him how to fly that ship. He could still be there.” ChiChi rushed out the room so fast the door nearly flew off its hinges! “Hold that elevator!!!”
“Wait, ChiChi!” By the time he reached the door, he saw ChiChi slip in the elevator at the last second. “This isn’t good!” Master Roshi rushed to the phone at the nurses’ station. “I need to make a call!” he screamed at the nurse at the desk. “It’s a life and death emergency!” Ignoring the irate nurse, Master Roshi dialed the direct number to Bulma’s house.
After a couple of rings, Dr. Briefs answered the phone. “Hello, Dr. Briefs? It’s Master Roshi. Is Goku there? Five minutes ago?” Master Roshi listened as Dr. Briefs rambled how Goku was in a rush to leave and didn’t want to wait for him to install the speakers. “Goku’s wife is on the way to your house. No, it’s not a good thing! Whatever you do, don’t tell her Gohan is stranded on Namek and the Saiyan Vegeta is on the planet, too.” Master Roshi listened as Dr. Brief responded. “No! She shouldn’t know! This is your daughter’s order! She told me to let everyone know what’s going on Namek but Goku’s wife!” Master Roshi rolled his eyes. The old scientist wasn’t listening. “Didn’t Bulma tell you what happened after Goku died last year? No? Goku’s wife can’t handle the truth. So, when she gets there, let her know everything is fine on Namek. Okay. Got it. Good.” Master Roshi hung up the phone.
He exhaled. That was too close.
“And once again, I’m without my husband and son.” ChiChi shook her head as she sipped her tea. “I swear someone likes to play cruel jokes on me.”
Gyu-mao didn’t agree but admitted it was a terrible twist of fate for Goku and Gohan to be gone again. Father and daughter were in the courtyard of Gyu-Mao’s castle drinking tea after dinner. ChiChi came here after speaking with Dr. Briefs. She just missed Goku by half an hour.
“The good news is Goku and Gohan won’t be gone for a year. With the Nameks helping, all the dragon balls will probably be collected by the time Goku arrives. They’ll wish our friends back and return home. It’s another two weeks, ChiChi. You can wait that long.”
“I suppose.” ChiChi stared at the setting sun and sighed. “Two weeks. It’s gonna feel like another year.”
They’ve been on Namek for a few hours and Krillin saw nothing was going as planned. Last thing Krillin expected to find on Namek were Vegeta and beings stronger than him looking for the dragon balls they needed to bring their friends back. If their ship wasn’t destroyed Krillin would’ve joined Bulma and returned to Earth. Gohan would want to stay but the child was naïve. This was Gohan’s first adventure. He was full of idealism and hope. Krillin and Bulma had a few more adventures under their belts. They knew when to throw in the towel and wait for Goku. Even with the news of Goku arriving in six days, Krillin worried if they could hold out that long.
Right now, all three were taking a break in Bulma’s capsule home. Krillin and Gohan returned from a Namek village where all were killed except a Namek child called Dende. Right now, Gohan and Dende were currently exploring the capsule home while he and Bulma were in the kitchen gathering lunch for everyone.
Bulma pulled out three microwaveable lunch trays from the refrigerator. “Will this be enough?”
“Those three may be enough for Gohan. He is Goku’s kid. One tray should be enough for me and Dende.”
“Right. Sometimes I forget that kid has Goku’s stomach.” Bulma placed two trays in the microwave. While they heated up, Bulma pulled out two more lunch trays for Krillin and Dende. “I’ll be so glad when Goku gets here.”
Goku. Now they had a moment alone, Krillin thought to bring up something that bothered him since Bulma called Master Roshi. “Bulma, why did you tell Master Roshi to tell everyone but ChiChi what’s going on here?”
“She’ll overreact as usual. Besides, why get her worried when there’s nothing she can do? Sometimes ignorance is bliss.”
Maybe but Krillin didn’t think ChiChi should be kept in the dark again. “You remember what happened the last time we kept something from her? Remember how Goku reacted in the hospital?”
“It’s different this time. No one’s gonna be away for a year. Goku’s on his way and instead of two months, we’ll all be home in a couple of weeks.”
Krillin insisted, “ChiChi should still know.”
Bulma rolled her eyes. “Well, if you want to get yelled at by her, then by all means tell her everything when we get back.”
The microwave dinged. Krillin eyed Bulma suspiciously as she took the two trays out and placed two more in. “You’re not doing this because you’re jealous you didn’t get Goku first, are you?”
Bulma slammed the microwave door shut. “Where the hell did you get that idea?”
Krillin jumped back, fearful of the fire in Bulma’s voice. “Just a theory.” It was only a theory but there were things he knew he didn’t feel inclined to speak about until now. “Oolong told me you wouldn’t stop talking how attractive Goku grew up to be when we reunited at the 23rd Tournament. Even after Yamcha showed up, you kept talking about Goku.”
Bulma scoffed. “You believe that panty stealing pig?”
“It’s not only that. That night we all ate at the restaurant, you pushed me out of the way to sit next to Goku. I thought you just wanted to sit down. You kept trying to talk to Goku while he ate.”
Bulma blew off Krillin’s suspicions. “I wanted to catch up with a friend I haven’t seen in three years. Goku is my oldest friend you know.”
Krillin wanted to catch up, too, but he wasn’t trying to monopolize Goku’s time like Bulma. There was something else, too. “Master Roshi confirmed what Oolong told me.”
“What?”
“It makes sense you would feel that way. You were always drooling over attractive guys. Remember Commander Blue? But you always yelled at Yamcha being unfaithful.” Krillin could never remember Yamcha looking at another girl but Bulma’s eyes did wander. “I guess it makes sense you will be drawn to Goku once he grew up.”
“You’re insane!” Bulma protested. “That has nothing to do with it and that was years ago!”
Krillin noticed Gohan and Dende suddenly looking their way. He made a gesture telling Bulma to keep her voice down. Gohan did not need to hear this. “After Goku left with Chichi, you did question if Goku made the right decision.”
“That’s because he was marrying a person he didn’t know. Marriage is a big deal and Goku didn’t know what he was doing.”
“It’s not the first time Goku left on his own to do something. He left to find his grandpa’s dragon ball. He left us to train on his own without Nimbus. Each time we thought Goku was insane. Face it. We’re wrong. He’s still married; whatever Goku has going on with ChiChi is working for him to be happy and snap at us for how we treated her. He knew exactly what he was doing.”
Bulma nearly yanked the microwave door off its hinge as she pulled out two more trays and shoved the last one in. “Believe whatever you want. I know better and you’re making something out of nothing.”
Gohan approached the two looking concern. “Is everything all right?”
Bulma kept her back to Gohan while Krillin forced a smile. He grabbed three of the hot trays and passed them to Gohan. “Go eat. We need to keep our strength up to what’s going on around here.”
“Oh.” Gohan looked from Bulma to Krillin. “Okay.” Whatever was going on, it was clear to the five-year-old they didn’t want him to know. Sometimes his parents became quiet when he entered the room, too. Perhaps it was one of those situations.
Krillin waited until Gohan join Dende on the lounge sofa before speaking again. “That kid has too much of his Dad in him.”
“That’s a good thing, Krillin.”
Krillin half shrugged. “You wouldn’t have said that if you were with us. He almost got us killed saving that Namek child. He exposed us to that Freeza character. Now he knows there are other people here besides the Nameks. It won’t be an easy six days waiting for Goku to get here.” Krillin sighed. “I don’t know. I admire Gohan’s bravery but I think ChiChi was right. We shouldn’t have brought him. We should’ve waited until Goku got well.”
It was clear to Bulma Krillin lost his mind. “Are you crazy? What do think the situation will be if we waited? Vegeta or this Freeza character might have all seven dragon balls by the time we got here. We’ll have to wait a year to bring Yamcha and everyone back.”
“We all can be dead in six days, Bulma. You weren’t out there with me and Gohan. Freeza and his gang are ruthless. They killed the adults and children. How do you think Goku will feel if Gohan is killed? What do you think ChiChi will do to us if we survive and Gohan doesn’t?”
Bulma blew off his concerns. “You’re worrying over nothing. Goku will be here in six days and he will take care of everything as usual.”
Krillin gave up. There was no convincing Bulma. Krillin grabbed his and Dende’s lunch trays while Bulma carried a tray of cups and juice for everyone. Krillin wished he had Bulma’s optimism but he had a terrible feeling the next six days will be the hardest in their life.
During lunch, Dende learned more about Krillin, Gohan and Bulma. When he discovered the three strangers could help his people, Dende offered to take Krillin to the Grand Elder. While Krillin and Dende were on their way to the Grand Elder’s home, Gohan was on a mission of his own. Bulma spotted a lone dragon ball not far from them. Realizing the dragon ball’s in the same spot they felt Vegeta’s Ki earlier, Gohan investigated. It was possible Vegeta never found the dragon ball. With the one Krillin will bring from the Grand Elder’s home and the one Gohan expected to find, this will bring their collection of dragon balls to two.
Gohan’s heart dropped at the grim site of the Namek village. Namek homes were damaged; several men and children laid dead. No mercy was given to these poor people. Necks were broken; burn marks reveal where Ki blasts proved fatal. Gohan shut his eyes seeing an adult Namek unsuccessfully shield his body over a child’s.
So much death and violence of peaceful people. Just like Dodoria, Vegeta was ruthless in killing innocent people. Gohan felt the least he could do for these people is give them a proper burial.
“It wasn’t suppose to be like this,” Gohan talked to himself. “It was suppose to be an easy trip. Get the dragon balls and wish our friends back. No one else was going to die.” Gohan dropped the shovel and placed a Namekian in the hole. After he was buried, Gohan dug another hole. He sniffed as he fought back tears. “These people shouldn’t have died. All the Nameks except for Dende and the Grand Elder are probably dead.”
Gohan wondered about the person named Freeza. Gohan never imagined anyone’s Ki being as high as what he felt from Freeza. It was impossible. After their ship was destroyed, Bulma and Krillin wanted to go home. Gohan wanted to stay but after feeling Freeza’s Ki, Gohan wondered if they all were in over their heads.
His father’s impending arrival gave Gohan hope but he was still scared.
Gohan buried the next Namekians. An adult male and boy. Covering their bodies with dirt, Gohan thought of his mother. Mom said the trip will be dangerous. She forbid him to go but Gohan was too determine to come here to listen. He had to bring Piccolo back.
“I wished I spent some time with Mom before I left.”
On the journey here, Gohan spent more time thinking about his Dad than his mother. He was annoyed she didn’t approve of this trip and found her fussing over him overwhelming. He didn’t even hug her before he left. What he will give for his mother’s hugs now.
“Don’t think about that,” Gohan told himself while digging another hole. “I need to keep alert for Vegeta or any of Freeza’s goons. Dad would want me to be strong. So will Piccolo. Focus on the mission,” Gohan told himself. “Focus on the mission.”
After burying all the Nameks, Gohan found the dragon ball in the lake nearby. Returning to Bulma, Gohan ran into Vegeta. Even though he deceived the Saiyan he had a dragon ball, it didn’t stop Vegeta from kneeing him in his stomach and pressing his dirty boot on his head while saying disparaging things about his father.
Gohan had the last laugh fooling Vegeta the dragon ball radar in his hand was a watch. When he reunited with Krillin and Bulma, they moved to a new hiding spot. It wasn’t a cave. It was too cramp to open a capsule home which angered Bulma but it was a safe spot to leave her while he and Krillin went to the Grand Elder’s home to awaken his inner power.
For four days, Gohan and Krillin flew with their Ki suppressed to avoid Vegeta’s detection. They weren’t at the halfway point but with Goku’s impending arrival and thinking they were too far for Vegeta to detect them, Krillin and Gohan increased their Ki and flew full speed to the Grand Elder’s home.
Though far away, with a handful of living creatures on Namek, it was easy for Vegeta to pick up the high Ki of Gohan and Krillin. He hunted them down within an hour’s time. Krillin stalled Vegeta while Gohan flew the rest of the way to the Grand Elder’s home.
The Grand Elder obliged Gohan’s request to increase his power. Gohan thought now that his power matched his father’s, he and Krillin will team up against Vegeta, take the dragon ball in his possession and hide out until his father arrived. That was the plan until Dende warned them of an unknown power coming to the planet.
The irony of it all.
Four days ago, Vegeta cheap shot him, threatened to return to Earth to kill his father and everyone on the planet. Now he and Krillin were joining forces with Vegeta to stop the Ginyu Force. Whoever they were, they even scared Vegeta.
That alone frightened Gohan on who they were facing.
Gohan shook in the presence of the Ginyu Force. All five had enormous Ki and were very fast. Two captured the dragon balls Vegeta and Krillin possessed before they could get rid of it.
With all seven, the leader, Captain Ginyu, left to take the dragon balls to Freeza. The remaining four argued who will fight. It was decided the tall red head named Recoome will fight Vegeta and the short green one name Guldo will fight Gohan and Krillin.
Guldo was weak but his ability to control time put him on even ground against Gohan and Krillin. If Vegeta hadn’t intervened to cut off his head, Guldo would’ve killed them.
With Guldo perished, Recoome stepped up to fight Vegeta. Before the fight Recoome warmed up with a strange yet animated pose that infuriated Vegeta and confused Krillin. It puzzled Gohan, too, but he also thought there was something appealing about Recoome’s odd posing.
This is just fucking great! Of all the members of the Ginyu Force he had to battle first, why did he have to fight Recoome? Fighting Burter or Jeice wouldn’t be easy but he rather start off with them than the brute Recoome. He was a monster.
It was a long shot but going after Recoome with all his strength and speed was the best way to defeat him. Maybe with his new power he could put a dent in Recoome before Recoome retaliated to pummel him senseless. That could give the bald one and Kakarrot’s son a shot in finishing him off.
Like hell. Recoome is gonna beat all our asses but if that jackass Kakarrot is on his way, then all four of us can beat him together.
Speed and strength was Vegeta’s strategy. One mega punch knocked Recoome off his feet. Vegeta retaliated with more punches to his face and body until he cracked Recoome’s armor. Another strike sent Recoome to the ground. Vegeta dived on Recoome like a missile before swinging him around and tossing him into a mountain. Not finished, Vegeta fired off one massive Ki after another that was a direct hit on Recoome with the final one resembling a mega bomb. Krillin and Gohan dived to the ground to avoid getting in the crossfire.
That assault took out a lot of Vegeta and only to the surprise of Gohan and Krillin, it had little effect on Recoome.
Shit.
Smoking, with tatter clothes, Recoome chuckled at the weak assault. “That was a good warm up, Vegeta. Now let’s get started.”
Fuck, this is gonna hurt.
“Recoome Kick!!!” Though bulky, Recoome’s speed was too much for Vegeta. In a blink of an eye, Recoome’s knee smashed into his neck. Vegeta soared but flipped himself on a rock. Flying back to Recoome the two engaged in a battle of punches.
Asshole is toying with me. He’s blocking all my punches. I can’t land any on him.
An elbow to his back knocked Vegeta down but he was fast on his feet again until Recoome knocked him into the water. This, Vegeta cockily thought, was Recoome’s error. Swimming until he gained enough momentum, Vegeta rocketed out of the lake.
I’m putting everything I got into this.
Vegeta plowed into Recoome’s stomach. Hearing Recoome’s scream ringing in his ears, Vegeta knew he broke through the barrier of Recoome’s strength. Vegeta smack punch after punch against Recoome. He’ll keep pounding until that steel stomach of Recoome’s gushes with blood.
Recoome grabbing his waist stopped Vegeta in mid punch. The brute Ginyu force member flipped Vegeta so he hung upset down. With a steel grip on him, Recoome plunge them both to the ground. Vegeta tried but he couldn’t break free from Recoome. He knew in moments, he will plow head first into the ground.
Oh, shi---
The impact created an earthquake. Vegeta felt half his body submerged into the ground with his legs dangling lifeless like a dead insect. His entire body ached. He couldn’t move. His head throbbed, his ears rung. He didn’t have a chance to gather himself before Recoome pulled him out of the rubble. Vegeta blast a ball of Ki in Recoome’s face. It was all he had but it was enough to knock Recoome away from him.
For Recoome, it was a tickle.
He put everything he had into this fight and it was for nothing. He killed Dodoria. He killed Zarbon and now he will soon meet his end as Recoome’s plaything.
Krillin and Gohan watched from the sidelines. Both couldn’t believe the beating Vegeta took. How was he still alive? “We’re gonna have to step in, Gohan. Vegeta doesn’t have anything left.”
“Okay,” Gohan shakily agreed.
Krillin hated this. There was no way they could beat Recoome. As soon as they get involved in the fight, they were as good as dead. Sorry, Goku. ChiChi. I can’t protect your boy. We’re gonna die but we’re going out fighting. “We’re not gonna beat him, Gohan. I doubt Goku can stop this guy.”
While Recoome showed off with another ridiculous pose, Krillin prepared himself to strike. “Vegeta can’t move, Gohan. When Recoome attacks, I’ll create a distraction while you get Vegeta.”
When Recoome fired his Eraser Gun technique at Vegeta, Krillin slammed his knee on Recoome’s head while Gohan grabbed the defenseless Vegeta and carried him away from before Recoome’s Eraser Gun technique struck him. Instead of the massive explosion of Ki hitting Vegeta, it hit a mountain and reduce it to rubble. Gohan shielded Vegeta as the explosion created another earthquake over the area.
“Get out…. of my way,” Vegeta snarled at Gohan as he rose. He gripped his broken left arm. “Did I… ask for your help?”
Gohan wasn’t expecting a thank you but he thought Vegeta would be a little appreciative he saved his life.
Instead the Saiyan Prince cursed Gohan. “Idiot!! If you had… time to save me… why didn’t you attack Recoome?! Sentimentality,” Vegeta gagged. “Makes me sick.”
Recoome rose and dusted himself off. Except for missing teeth, he was unharmed again. With one kick, Recoome took down Krillin. Gohan flew to his side, begging his father’s friend to say something. Krillin’s body was completely broken. One kick and he couldn’t move. Even with his power heightened by the Grand Elder, it was nothing against Recoome. Krillin saw this as their end but Gohan still had hope.
Daddy was coming.
Last one standing, Gohan faced off against Recoome. His anger rose; his power rose. Krillin gave up but Gohan refused to. They needed the dragon balls to revive their friends. His father was on the way. Even if it’s only him, Gohan vowed to hang on until his father arrived.
You’re gonna have to stand in for me, too. When I looked for dragon balls with Bulma and Krillin, they depended on my strength to get them out of tough situations. That falls on you now. I know it’s a lot but can you handle that, Gohan?
I won’t break my promise, Daddy. I’ll hold on until you get here.
Recoome standing with his hands on his hips left Gohan to attack first. His kick to the redhead brute felt as if he struck a steel wall. Recoome caught Gohan’s fist and flung the five-year-old in the air before flinging multiple Ki blasts in his direction. Gohan retaliated with Piccolo’s Masenko attack.
Nothing. Not even a dent on this behemoth.
As Recoome approached, Gohan prepared himself. He saw what he did to Vegeta and Krillin. Recoome’s blows will be painful but Gohan was ready for it. Piccolo beat him down every day. He was ready for this.
Or so he thought. None of the kicks and punches from Piccolo hurt this bad. Three strikes including an ass smack left Gohan writhing in pain. His entire body ached but Gohan refused to give up. Piccolo needed him. His father was counting on him. He wouldn’t let them down.
Rising, Gohan fired a massive Ki at Recoome only for him to blow it back on him like a boomerang. Gohan jumped to avoid his attack which left him perfectly open for Recoome to chop at his throat. Gagging, Gohan slammed into to the ground again.
Gohan could hear Recoome’s laughs over him as he pushed himself to his hands and knees. Coughing, blood spurted from his mouth. It hurts everywhere. I can’t…..I can’t do this. No….. I can’t stay down. Piccolo wouldn’t want me to give up. Daddy wouldn’t want me to give up.
“Daddy,” Gohan whimpered. Raising his head, Gohan looked at the green sky. Daddy was coming. He needed to give Daddy more time. Putting a hand on one knee, Gohan forced his shaky legs to stand.
Daddy wouldn’t give up. I won’t either! Gohan charged like a bull to Recoome before leaping and delivering a thundering punch. The giant toppled leaving Gohan to pounce with endless punches to Recoome’s face. Come on! Something’s got to break this guy.
Recoome merely laughed at the child’s punches. It felt like feathers. “Is this the best you can do, kid?” One punch rattled Gohan’s bones as he bounced into a pit.
His body told Gohan to stay down but his mind told him to get up. I won’t be beaten. Panting, Gohan crawled out of the hole. “I have to defeat you…. for Piccolo… for Yamcha…. Tien…. Chaozu. They’re counting on me.” Gohan launched himself against Recoome again. “I will bring them back to life!”
Recoome leapt from his seat on a boulder. The kid spunk. He was entertaining but it was time to wrap it up. “Recoome Bomber!!”
An array of Ki blasts rained down on Gohan. Each exploding like bombs when they reached the ground. Gohan jumped, flipped and bounced around avoiding each one. Just as he thought he was in the clear, Gohan felt two massive blows on his back and stomach. Bones cracked, some were broken and more blood splattered from him.
Still, Gohan refuse to give up. Bleeding with a broken arm, one eye shut while the other blurred, Gohan limped with each step. He could hear Krillin telling him to give up, to stay down. Gohan wouldn’t. It was not the Son Family way. It wasn’t in his Saiyan blood.
“I’m the son… of Son Goku….the warrior…. I won’t…..” his body swayed. “I won’t…..” He could hear Recoome mocking him. Gohan let that fuel him as he tapped into the remaining strength left in him. This is for everyone!
This was it Gohan told him as he drove to Recoome for one final attack. “I WON’T LET YOU BEAT ME!!” Recoome leapt out of the way, avoiding Gohan’s fist. He struck a fatal kick to Gohan’s neck.
Gohan heard a snap and knew something was wrong. His body dropped to the ground with a thud. Gohan tried to will movement from his body but only his right leg, which twisted the wrong way, twitched. His arms and left leg wouldn’t move. He couldn’t even turn his head. Around him, Gohan heard the faint voices of Recoome talking to Burter and Jeice on delivering the final blow to him, Krillin and Vegeta. Their voices faded away as he focused on his own thoughts.
I can’t move. I can’t…..
I’m dying, aren’t I? I feel so weak.
Piccolo…. Yamcha…. Tien…. Chaozu… I’m sorry. I tried my best….but I failed to bring you back. Forgive me.
Daddy…. I’m sorry. I tried.
Mommy. I want Mommy.
Gohan’s eyes blurred. His sight was going but in his mind he could see his mother. She stood in the kitchen of their home smiling at him with open arms. “Gohan. Mommy loves you so much.”
Mommy. I’m so sorry, Mommy. I should’ve listened to you. I’m sorry for I’m not coming home.
Mommy. Daddy.
A breeze brushed over Gohan. Did someone suddenly arrive? Gohan’s vision was foggy but he thought he saw black spikes standing over him.
Did someone call his name?
“Krillin, I’ll bring you some senzu right away!”
That voice. Those black spikes.
Daddy. Daddy, is it really you?
Part Twenty-Three: Namek: Part Two
AN: Goku’s first day in the hospital, Korin told him the senzu beans will be ready in a month. Bulma, Krillin and Gohan left for Namek ten days later and it took them another thirty-four days before they reached Namek. Goku left the hospital the same day Bulma radio Master Roshi the news on Namek Makes me wonder if Yajirobe was snacking on some of those beans.
Bulma did gush how attractive Goku grew to be in the 23rd Tournament and even in the Namek arc when Goku returned she wondered if she blew her chance with him. Very awkward considering Goku is married with a child. It’s interesting how it was never brought up even though some had to suspect like Master Roshi and Oolong.
Sadly in the manga, ChiChi was unaware of the dangers of her family because Bulma told Master Roshi to let everyone know what was going on Namek except ChiChi. Ouch!
Though it was never explained why Gohan did those poses as Saiyaman, I always thought the Ginyu Force subtly influenced him.
The feeling is overwhelming.
If he had any doubts left that this actually is real, they crackle into nonexistence now.
No hallucination can feel this incredibly good.
His entire body is vibrating with a mixture of excitement and exhaustion and he gives in completely to the kiss, letting the hero take control. Although, you can’t really call it this way, because Sportacus only gently, slowly moves his lips a little and Robbie’s follow this lead blindly. They don’t go any further. But it’s far enough…
When Sportacus slowly pulls back again after long minutes, he takes a deep breath in, before opening his eyes and noticing the tears on the villain’s cheeks, at once “…Robbie?…” slightly worried, he wipes the tears away with his thumbs “Robbie, are you all right?” Blinking slowly, the other opens his eyes again and just stares at the hero’s for a moment. Then he swallows weakly and a faint smile plays on his lips “…If this really was nothing but a hallucination…then I’d never want to wake up from it again… But…this felt too real to be one…” he takes a shallow breath in through his slightly parted lips and his grip on the hero’s arms tightens a little “…I would’ve never…thought that this would happen… That you actually…” he breaks up. It feels as if the energy is drained from his body and his head slumps forward, coming to rest against Sportacus’ chest. A dull beeping reaches his clouded brain and he mumbles weakly “…The…brats…are in trouble again…”
“No. Not the kids…” Sportacus is barely able to contain the fear in his voice, when he now carefully slides his hands down Robbie’s back to carefully ease him into a lying position again. “…The…mayor?…”
“No, Robbie…” the hero is starting to wonder whether the villain is trying to joke, but then the beeping of his crystal becomes stronger again and Robbie’s eyes flutter shut “Robbie? Robbie!” gently, Sportacus slaps on his cheek “Wake up, Robbie!” With a low groan, the other opens his eyes again and they start to dart around the room unfocused, his voice nothing but a weak mumble “…So…tired…”
“I know…” Sportacus tries to ignore the beeping of his crystal to force his voice to stay calm “But it’s better if you stay awake now… Can you do that for me?” he smiles forcedly and grabs one of Robbie’s shaking hand to squeeze it gently. “…Hm… I can…try…” the other furrows his brows, wondering why he feels this incredibly exhausted out of a sudden “…But…you have to…save somebody…anyway… Can’t I…take a nap in the meantime?…”
Sportacus’ heart grows heavy, but he manages to still sound calm “…Robbie… The crystal is flashing because…of you…”
“…Me?…” he furrows his brows “…But I’m just…tired… Or…” now his clouded brain starts to slowly notice the hero’s concerned expression and his eyes widen the tiniest bit with fear “…This…isn’t normal… I’m the one in…trouble… But what…”
“Robbie. I promise you, you’ll be okay! Trust me. Just try to stay awake now, okay?” Sportacus gently strokes his head “Talk to me. That will help you.”
“…Okay…” maybe he’s already too tired, or it’s just because Sportacus’ presence and touch simply are so comforting and soothing, but either way, Robbie isn’t as scared as he probably should be right now, he even manages a small smile “…I…really liked…that kiss… Maybe we…could repeat that…one time…”
Sportacus smiles despite his growing concern and quickly bows down to place a soft kiss on Robbie’s cheek “We’ll repeat that as many times as you like, once you’re all healthy again,” then he stands up from the bed to stand next to it and start his examination. He first takes Robbie’s temperature again, finding it even slightly more risen than before. “…Hm… I’d like that…” Robbie smiles weakly, struggling to keep his eyes open “…Sportacus?…”
“Yes?” the hero has just turned the villain’s pajama top up to use the stethoscope to check on Robbie’s heartbeat and breathing and is now carefully palpating his stomach. “…Were you…serious?… Do you…really…love me?…”
Sportacus holds in his move, smiles down at the other and replies softly “Of course, I do. Would I’ve kissed you otherwise?”
“…But I… Until now…I didn’t even believe that love…exists… I… I’m surely going to be…pretty bad at…loving you…” he lowers his eyes and a lonely tear runs down his cheek again. “Oh, Robbie… You obviously don’t notice…but you’re already INCREDIBLY good at it! Really!…” the hero shortly cups and strokes his cheek once more, before picking up his examination again “…Does any of this hurt?…”
“…Hm… No, I…don’t think so…” Robbie weakly shakes his head “…I’m just so tired… And I…”
“Yes?” presses the hero gently. “…I feel a little…funny…”
“Funny?” Sportacus furrows his brows in concern. “Yeah…” the villain swallows hard and he blinks several times “…I don’t…know what it is… It’s like…a black, empty hole…up here…” he presses his palms against his temples and inhales sharply, his eyes squeezed shut “…Sportacus… Am I…dying?…”
“What?! Of course not!” the hero quickly takes Robbie’s hands in his own and gently pulls them away from his head “Look at me, Robbie.” Whimpering, the other follows the order, his eyes feverish and glassy. “I know you are scared and feel bad. But you won’t die! I promise! I won’t let you!” he leans down and captures Robbie’s trembling lips in another, short kiss, before he searches his eyes, struggling with himself for a moment, before he starts carefully “…But…we really have to find out what is wrong with you now…”
“Please… No doctor! I-I…” Robbie bites his lower lip, trying to keep it from trembling even worse, but his eyes give away his panic, anyway “…I’m…so scared…”
“Shush…” Sportacus cups and caresses his cheek with one hand and starts massaging his chest with the other, his voice low and calm “…No… No doctor, Robbie… I don’t think…an ordinary doctor would be able to help you…”
“H-Huh?” Robbie swallows again, not sure whether to feel relieved or even more scared now. “I can’t…explain it to you now…” the hero smiles weakly “…You have to trust me again…and…you’ll have to answer some questions…”
“…Questions?…” rasps Robbie confused. “…Yes… Mainly about…your past…” Sportacus tries to appear calm and soothing, but he fails once more, when he notices the other’s wince at his words and he murmurs “…It’s probably going to be difficult for you, I know… But it’s very important that you do!… And I’ll be here for you and help you as good as I can!”
“…You…know what is going on…with me…don’t you?…” Robbie takes a labored breath in and despite his daze, he still notices the hero’s troubled expression and manages a weak smile “…Don’t…try to…lie… We both know…that you have no experience with this… It’s okay… I…will try my best to answer your questions if you’re convinced…you can help me then…”
Sportacus smiles feebly and carefully wipes Robbie’s new tears away with his thumb again “…Never dare to think of yourself as weak or a coward again… You’re so incredibly brave right now!…”
“…Huh… It’s easy to be…brave when you just…got to know that your…crush actually loves you…” a faint smile tugs at Robbie’s lips and he hesitatingly lifts a violently shaking hand to cup Sportacus’ slightly blushed cheek now, as well, still fighting his exhaustion to not fall asleep “…Go ahead then… Ask me what you have to know…”
It's been a hot minute, but let's take a break for another H/H Production repost with new header art by @sowrongitslottie!
This is for the twenty-second installment of the A Herrmann/Halstead Production series: 500 Miles
Mouse and Bex get back on track with a little help from their friends. Romance is in the air, the path to true love still takes some work to run smooth, and everyone else is having way too much fun in the background.
Characters: Rebecca "Bex" Herrmann (OC character), Jay Halstead, Will Halstead, Connor Rhodes, Greg "Mouse" Gerwitz, and various Chicago PD, Chicago Fire, and Chicago Med characters
Lix was stunned by the conversation just had by Fright and a bird “uhhhhh” since she wanted to say something but didn’t know what to say it just ended up being the sound of confusion
“You’re doing great? That’s cool. I’m doing good too… Hahaha” Frigt elegantly avoided completely mentioning the precious situation and thought that it would be much easier to forget everything about it. Nonchalantly, he scratches the back of his head and laughs somewhat awkwardly as he stuffs the Lacrima in he left best pocket, listening to the laughing likely erupting from the three females because of his little outburst.
He really hadn’t hoped they would hear that but.. He guesses he’s just that unlucky.
Regardless, he treks through the landscape and keeps a watchful eye out for people who might to get the jump on him and he considers it slightly unhealthy, that he automatically assumes that other mages would actually assault him physically. Granted, he does have quite a high bounty on his head and he does fiddle whit forbidden magic, but that is no excuse to jump a somewhat innocent man and sentence him to jail.
His parents must be so disappointed in him…
As expected the three girls start laughing at the silly situation that just happened on the other end of the line. “Everything is fine here but why did you suddenly have to take on this job” she says this and suddenly realizes what time it is and pushes the two other girls out of the door while trying to keep a conversation going with Fright
“Well… Uhh… Let’s just say there is a reason why I have a bounty on my head.. It’s like a job security really” Fright mumbles rather dully, expressing a sort of unhappiness about it. That, however, is not the case, because Fright actually like being a necromancer for hire, he just only adores the necromancer part of the deal, as opposed to the talk-to-people-part. It gets a little bit out of hand sometimes, sure, and people constantly want to slit his throat but if he wants to continue researching dead people, then he needs the solitude for it.
“It’s funny, I don’t even get payed for doing all this” Fright offhandedly remarks, staring up at the big blue sky and the sizzling sun.
“Let me guess you get payed in dead people” Lix says without thinking, as the two girls struggle to keep up with her pace
Fright let’s out an awkward laugh, taking a left turn on the paved road and stalks off into a forest.
“Not… Exactly…” He begins, threading carefully over a falling three with the elegance of a hawk. The rattle of his bracelets ring out like bells chiming ominously for a funeral, the sound of danger to most animals. In a maelstrom of wings and screams tearing through the heavy undergrowth, a pack of ravens seek to the sky and a frown ceases Fright’s eyebrows.
“I am actually the one providing them the undead, that’s why I’m for hire… I get to.. Ahh… Acquire something from them in return” Fright vaguely states, not particularly enjoying delving into this kind of territory in terms of his career choice, since it involves quite a lot of slaughtering.
“Ahh, okay then, but there is something I don’t get” Lix says “why did you leave a note about your leave when you left a lakrima for talking through anyway?” She says, making sure not to bump into anyone as she moves around in the city. They were almost at the grand magic games.
“I’m sorry in advance” Fright begrudgingly retorts.
“You see… Necromancy is pretty volatile.. It doesn’t take a lot of effort to mess it up.. And when we do mess it up, it gets really ugly”
—– meanwhile in Lix’s house ——–
Pale and covered with malignant red, a rotting hand claws at the door from inside Fright’s room. Flesh spills from the whitening bones like shriveling cheese from a grinder, frivolously falling to the floor in a spiral of mucus and decay. Wheezing, heavy sounds of restrain vocalizing from a soundless voice reverberates ominously, terrifyingly loud from behind the door like a muffled scream for help. The high pitched noise of nails running down harshly on a wooden floor announces the undeniably horrible arrival of the living dead heralding their time on the earth and as flesh drops from the carcass like flies, the corpse comes to life
—— meanwhile with Fright ——–
“Please tell me you aren’t home right now..” He whispers when he feels the tingling sensation of his magic moving around in the veins of the slowly decomposing human in his room.
“Huh? No, we are at the grand magic games right about now, I just need to buy my ticket so I can get in, it annoys me that I can’t be with the girls, but they have to be with the guild and if I get even slightly close to the guild master, I am pretty sure my entire family will come for me” Lix says this as her voice gets darker with each realization she makes
“That.. That sounds, uhh.. Great I guess..” Fright lamely retorts, knowing full well that this is not the kind of answer most people would want, but then again.. Fright and Lix aren’t exactly most people, so maybe it was okay for him to just brush off he dark commentary like it was just a bit of dust on his pants. Whether or not Fright believes that though, is a mystery, for he is already thinking about something else.
That something else being the apparent festival he’s missing because of a stupid JOB, that he just had to say agree to.
“Hey Lix, could you perhaps-”
There is another incoming call on his Lacrima, and the distinct sound of “What Hurts The Most” tears through Fright’s ears like the screech of a banshee.
Not this guy.
No.
Fright is not dealing with that.
Without even hesitating, the necromancer turns off the the second call.
I don’t know if I mentioned this but this chapter is a shorter than usual, almost more of an interlude--but, it has some of my favorite lines of the story...so far.
I’m off to sleep since I didn’t last night. Happy Reading, my dears!
