Greetings!
Another One-hour challenge, another character sketch... ^_^
In truth, I couldn't finish this one in one hour, so it'd be a
two-hours-and-a-half fanfic. This will show the people who say my CS are too
short! ^_^
After reading my Chichi CS, someone dared to challenge me to actually write
all those scenes I talked about, so... here it is! This is for you, Mike!
^_^
BTW, if people like this, it might grow into a full series. How am I going
to do that? Well, you'll see (probably).
Please, people, send C&C. I need it, I want it, I can't live without it.
Send me a mail, and let me know what you think about this fic, will you?
Just a quick "Hi!", and I'll be happy. As always, I like public comments,
but I take anything, anything!
Thanks go to Megane 6.7 and Zoogz for prereading. You're the best, guys!
My other works can be find at: http://lwf58.tripod.com/fan_fiction/latin_d/
Enjoy!
-- Attached file included as plaintext by Listar --
-- File: FITD.txt
DISCLAIMER: Dragonball Z is owned by Akira Toriyama and Toei Animation.
No copyright infringement is intended.
_________________________________
FACES IN THE DAWN
A DBZ shortfic
by Latin_D (latin_d@uol.com.ar)
_________________________________
Dawn broke upon the world in a ritual older than life
itself, the sun peeking timidly over the far-off horizon. Immediately
igniting the sky, its rays painted the grassy hills in a million of
impossible reds, oranges and purples, and fought off the darkness with
mindless determination. The air was still cool, virginal, and sang
quietly as it ran along the green, rolling slopes.
As nature basked in the primal energy the star
willingly gave it, and fed on it, pulsating and growing, the clouds
suddenly opened up, pushed aback by some unseen force. A new sun
appeared then, this one hot-white and diminutive, soaring through the
air like a fiery shooting star. Fast as a missile it approached the
land, and soon the form of a man could be guessed in the shining orb's
midst, deeply immersed in that sea of whiteness. Tall and fair, he could
have been confused with an angel, or perhaps with a messenger of the
gods themselves... And even those titles would have been befitting to
this man. He flew gracefully across the morning, blending with the
soothing peace of the moment, losing himself in it. Nature accepted him,
gleefully recognizing his chosen son.
Then, with no warning, the man abruptly stopped his
advance, effortlessly hovering over one of the hills. With infinite
slowness, he lowered himself onto the ground, descending with an
elegance reserved to creatures of the air. When the white energy touched
the grass below, the tiny blades bent, as if bowing in respect to the
warrior's power, and created a perfect circle around him. Light as a
feather, his feet finally met the ground, and his legs tensed in answer,
securing his balance.
He slowly raised his gaze, and his eyes shone with
unbound joy. In a moment, the energy receded into his body, where it
rightfully belonged. He felt his shirt flapping in the gentle breeze and
smelled the soft perfume of the daffodils. Hearing distant sounds of
animals, he turned his head and saw birds fluttering away in haste,
frightened by some unknown threat. And as his senses were overloaded with
impulses of every kind, he realized he had arrived at last. Taking a
step forward, he began the short walk toward the large cabin that waited
a couple of miles ahead.
Gokuu was home.
---
I walk up to the door, suppressing somehow the urge to
run. Too much time has passed this time, too much. I try to remember
their faces, but all I am able to conjure are blurred images, mere
sketches with no details.
The front gate opens before I even touch the knob--the
children must have felt my presence. Sometimes, it's easy to forget they
are powerful warriors themselves, members of a race capable of
destroying the Earth on a whim. I can't help but grin, proud of my sons.
Goten is the first one to arrive, clutching my leg
with his tiny arms. Ironically, those same arms could destroy a mountain
if he wanted, or maybe break this same leg. However, his embrace is
loving and tender, a caress to my weary body. I reach down and ruffle
his hair, sensing how he tightens his hold on me.
Next comes Gohan, taller than ever and much older,
too. Have I been away for so long? What other things have changed? I
look at him in the eye, and observe, hidden behind the exterior shell of
shyness and calmness, the hard glint that defines him as a warrior: the
mark of the Saiyan. A sigh escapes my lips as Gohan stands by my side,
seemingly waiting for something. Whatever else my children may have
become, they are still faithful to their heritage--and I'm glad for
that.
So distracted I am that I don't notice her until I
feel one of her small hands resting on my shoulder. I turn my head, and
see her. Chichi's eyes are full of unshed tears, but I don't worry.
Those are joyful tears, the right kind--at least, I hope they are. She
hugs me, and Gohan slowly comes closer.
I gather my whole family in my arms, and we hold each
other for a small eternity as the day gets old around us.
---
A casual observer would have only noticed a peculiar
rustle, or maybe, with some luck and a keen sight, it could have seen
the blurred forms of the combatants as they stopped for less than a
second in a small hiatus. Then, they would vanish into thin air once
again, only to reappear a mere moment later up in the sky, two tiny
specks outlined against the pale blue background.
Sitting on the grass outside his house, Goten
rapturously stared as his brother and his father battled on, completely
absorbed in the sparring match. His eager eyes followed them with ease,
betraying his own hidden power, and drank in the sheer complexity of the
techniques performed by both men. He was sure he could never be as good
as them, but didn't feel any envy. His brother and his father were
heroes, and had saved the universe many times. Someday, perhaps, he
would also be a hero, just like them.
As he sent a flurry of lightning-fast punches, Gokuu
nodded, satisfied with his firstborn's skill. Despite Gohan's reluctance
to follow in his footsteps and dedicate his life to the Art, it was
obvious that Gohan had been practicing. Of course, Gokuu thought as he
increased the speed of his blows, he was still better, but he was
certain Gohan could be the greatest fighter ever to live in this realm
if he devoted himself to training--something Chichi would never allow.
Finally, one of the punches slipped past Gohan's tight
defenses, taking the youth full in the stomach. Disoriented, Gohan
couldn't do anything when Gokuu struck him on the side of his head,
sending him into an uncontrolled dive.
As he saw his son plummeting to the ground below,
Gokuu shook his head. The truth was, he could hardly blame his wife for
trying to give her children a normal life. Perhaps some day she would
realize how futile her attempts were: a Saiyan's life would never be
normal and peaceful, never.
Chichi was cooking at that moment, and a happy tune
drifted out of the kitchen's window. Wonderful, heady scents traveled
along with it, and together they danced heavenward, almost sentient in
their perseverance. Finally, they reached both the recovering Gohan and
Gokuu, who had promptly descended to check on his downed son. Their
mouths watered, tantalized by the promise of a feast, and this signaled
the end of the match by mutual, unspoken agreement.
"Are you all right, Gohan?" Gokuu asked, worry etched
in his honest face.
"Yes, Dad," Gohan said, reaching up to touch his
bruised cheekbone. "Though I don't think I can say the same thing for my
head." He offered a smile, and could see how Gokuu immediately relaxed.
He knew his father had held back, but it wasn't important. There was no
shame in losing against the best, and Gokuu _was_ the best.
Twilight was near now, Gokuu noted, watching the
reddening sun. For a moment, he stared, mesmerized by the beauty of the
moment, but a sudden yell from the house brought him to more pressing
matters.
"Dinner's ready!"
"What about a little race, Gohan?" Gokuu asked, a
playful grin on his lips.
Gohan returned the smirk. "Sure." Not waiting for his
father, Gohan set off towards the house, leaving a trail of dust behind.
Gokuu was startled for a moment, but then started running himself.
"Hey, that's not fair!"
Laughter ensued, Goten soon joining them, and the sun
sank behind the hills.
---
The house is quiet at last. The children are in their
bedrooms, sleeping soundly after the rather eventful day. I myself am
laying on my bed, waiting nervously for Chichi to come to bed. She has
been in the bathroom for half an hour now, and I'm beginning to fear she
will never come out. What's taking her so long, anyway?
This has been a great day: a good fight with my son, a
delicious meal, and perfect weather. What else could I possibly ask for?
I look at the empty side of the bed, knowing the answer to that
question.
How is it that I'm able to leave all this behind? How
do I manage to force myself to sacrifice this paradise for the sake of
the Art? I don't know, I really don't. Maybe tomorrow I'll remember...
The bathroom door opens, and Chichi comes in. Wow.
Breathe, Gokuu, breathe.
She is wearing a nightgown, a dark blue, semi-
transparent, _very_ revealing one. In fact, I'm not sure that could be
considered a nightgown--not that I'm complaining. Chichi turns off the
lights, and I find myself gazing lustfully at her marvelous body as she
moves through the room. She walks in the dusk like a spirit, an
ethereal, beautiful ghost, her figure highlighted by the dim moonlight
filtering in through the window. There's nothing in this universe so
breathtaking, I swear it, and I fall in love with her anew...
She is perfect, and I tell her as much. Blushing, she
gives me a coy little smile, then walks up to the bed, gently easing
herself in it. Willing my heart to start beating again, I slowly lean
forward towards her. We kiss, and I taste her moistened lips, savoring
her sweet essence. After centuries, we break for air, and I notice the
hungry look in her eyes. God, I want her.
Our lips meet one more time, and she runs her hands
all up and down my back, silently demanding more. I softly caress her
shoulder, then move my hands lower. Her nightgown disappears somewhere
along the way, and our naked bodies join in a passionate embrace,
sharing warmth and merging.
The night goes on.
---
The room was bathed in an eerie red light when Gokuu
woke up the next morning, a testimony to the new sunrise. In his arms,
Chichi slept peacefully, smiling and mumbling meanderings in a soft
tone. Gokuu brought his ear a little closer, but wasn't able to
understand her incoherent words. For a moment, he wondered what it was
that she was saying. Probably, he decided, she was dreaming about her
family. Maybe, she was relating a story to Goten, waiting for slumber to
reclaim him, or was giving Gohan a wise piece of advice, worried about
his son's future. Or perhaps, he thought as he smiled, she was dreaming
about him. And if th--
Gokuu's eyes shot open, his drowsy mind properly
awakened now. He gently shook Chichi. "Wake up, hon. Wake up," he
whispered, and soon his wife stirred slightly.
"What's the problem, Gokuu?" Chichi asked in a sleepy
voice, rubbing her eyes. "It's too early."
"I gotta go, Chichi," answered Gokuu. "I felt
something."
Chichi sat on the bed. "You mean...?" She didn't
finish her sentence, as her gaze met his husbands' serious eyes. Gokuu
nodded.
"I'll get the kids." Quickly getting dressed, Chichi
gave him one last kiss before rushing out the bedroom.
Gokuu looked around the empty room, engraving its
details in his memory. He didn't want to forget about it, nor about any
of the previous day's moments. Every second of it would be forever
cherished, as he, better than most, knew there probably wouldn't be
another one like it. He closed his eyes, opened them, and put his shirt
on.
In no time, he was outside, standing in front of the
house--his house--with his family.
Gohan took a step forward. "I'll go with you."
"No," said Gokuu, stern and loving at the same time,
"not now. Maybe later, okay?"
A lingering kiss, a goodbye, and a wave. Two fingers
touching Gokuu's forehead, one last cocky grin, an amazing level of
concentration and power...
He was gone.
---
My opponent is worthy, more powerful that any other
one I have ever fought. Stronger than me, I'm certain. And that means I
may not win this fight, and because of this I could die. My blood burns
with excitement, as it knows as well as I do that it's for moments like
these that I have trained my entire life. This is my element, my past,
and my destiny.
I feel the cool wind on my skin, but it can't hope to
chill my heart's warmth, which spreads through my body, setting it on
fire. The familiar rage fills me, owning me, consuming my entire being.
I change, mutating into something far different and incredibly powerful.
Energy runs through my veins, my blood in now pure, comforting lava.
Defeating my enemy doesn't sound so impossible now.
No, it doesn't. I look at him in the eye, then, and take pleasure in the
uncertainty and confusion I see there.
I think of Gohan, of Goten; I see Chichi's beautiful
face, her dark eyes full of life.
And as she smiles at me, I fight.
---
The End.