Destined Virtues
Chapter 9 by Star Otaku
Juuni-gou finally decided to comment on his partner's recent actions. "So, why'd you save the kid? You could have gotten rid of one more little problem for us."
"The boy has a name, and it's Gohan! How can you be so cold?!" she snapped back at him.
"Hey! Don't blow a circuit. I just wanted to know why."
"I don't know what it was I felt. But know I felt connected to him, kinda like in the way I feel connected to you. Is it love?"
"Don't say that. We're the jinzouningen, we aren't supposed to feel love or any emotions, especially towards our enemies," Juuni-gou tried to explain.
"And don't say that," Juuichi countered. "We're free of Gero. Besides, how do you explain what we feel for each other?."
"Geez, sorry."
They both flew the rest of the way home in silence.
"Gohan... Are you okay?" Kuririn asked nervously. "I'm sorry that I nearly blasted you."
"What? Oh, yeah, I'm fine," Gohan replied, still in a daze. "It's ok, you were just trying to protect me."
"What just happened here?" asked Yamucha.
"Yeah, that android, she didn't kill you," added Tien.
Gohan looked down at the ground sadly after what Tien said.
Bulma came onto the scene just in time. "Hey, leave him alone, can't you see what he's just gone through?"
Everyone turned their heads away in embarrassment.
"Now, let's get moving. I hope the jinzouningen weren't able to track us down."
The gang mutely headed back towards the car, ready to make their way to their new hide out.
The rest of the trip was passed in silence.
Bulma concentrated on her driving, and Piccolo, Yamucha, Tien, and Choazu were either asleep or meditating.
It seemed like some surreal eternity for Gohan. He spent the rest of the ride looking idly out the window.
Kuririn had taken Gohan's place by the broken window. He was concerned for his young friend. He placed his hand on Gohan's shoulder.
"Hey, Gohan. Are you sure you're okay?"
"Huh? Uh, yeah. Don't worry about me."
"I'm worried about you. After that little run-in with the androids, you haven't spoken since. Is it because of..."
Gohan reached into his pocket and pulled out the repaired photograph. "Yes. I just don't know what to think now."
Both of them were now staring at the picture.
"I can't believed your parents changed so much."
"They haven't changed entirely..." Gohan softly replied.