Welcome to DBZ Love Garden

They had been on the raft for days, nearing a week. The water had been rough for the past few hours; the wake sent from a storm closer to shore. It had finally calmed down and Piccolo was able to loosen his death grip on Gohan’s shoulders. The clouds had drifted away, revealing a star filled velvety night. Far in the distance, past where the ocean stretched, the sun had begun to rise, kissing the sky with brilliant yellow, orange, red, and blue hues.

Piccolo looked down at the long-haired boy who had finally fallen asleep in his lap. He had, thankfully, come away unharmed minus a few scratches that were seen through the tears at the knees and elbows in his traditional Namekian robes. A chain decorated with a crystal star-shaped charm hung loosely around his neck. He slowly tucked the charm beneath his shirt and vest, patting where it rested affectionately.

It was time… The blood was caked thick on his back and still seeping out. He was feeling faint and he was struggling to stay up. There was no way out for him.

“You still have a chance, Gohan.”

He rest his hand on Gohan’s chest. His fingers nearly spanned his whole torso. Kami, he was still so small… Too small to carry such a huge burden, but they had no other choice.

“You have to live.”

A soft sun-coloured glow began to feather from his palm, drifting lazily about Gohan’s body, growing until it enveloped him. The glow grew steadily, soon encompassing Piccolo’s fading body, soon stretching towards the sky. It reached its full size, trembling, then slowly burst into a mass of shimmering sparkles, raining about them.

In the flash of light it gave off, Piccolo briefly saw the details of a nearby ship in his fading eyes. The flag… it had been lighter, unlike the black flag of nightmares. He smiled faintly. It was a friendly ship; it had to be.

“You’ll be okay, Gohan…” he managed, letting his eyes drift shut.

***

“Yo ho, yo ho…” the little girl whispered, leaning over the railing to the lower deck. She stared out at the open sea. “…A pirates’ life for me.”

The young man that approached her from behind was dressed in the uniform of a high ranking soldier: Crisp, brightly coloured jacket over pressed white leggings that came to a close above his calf, which was covered with slick, black boots. He fixed the hat above his pony-tailed ebony hair before addressing the girl.

“It’s not wise to sing of pirates out here, Miss Satan. It’s like calling them.”

The girl turned her head, clasping her hands at her waist. She spoke in a soft, polite voice, “I don’t fear pirates…”

Another man, much older. came up beside the young man. He stood in a thick, green overcoat with golden trims, black slacks, and shining, ankle-high shoes. He watched the girl, his eyes wrinkling at the corners as he smiled slightly. “That’s what worries me, Videl…”

He turned to the young man, “Yamucha, I don’t think you should be telling my daughter that the song attracts pirates…” He lowered his voice, so only he could hear, “…you’re giving her ideas.”

Videl smiled to herself, turning her eyes back to the open sea.

Yamucha nodded his head in a bow, “My apologies, Governor…”

Videl’s eyes widened as she caught sight of a growing golden glow. She turned back to Yamucha, raising her voice slightly, “What’s that glowing?”

Yamucha and the Governor raised their heads. Their eyes widened and Yamucha tilted his head slightly, stepping to the railing and leaning over slightly.

“It looks like Saint Elmo’s fire…” He thought for a moment, then shook his head, “No, it can’t be… it’s the wrong colour, there’s no boat nearby…”

“Let’s go closer!”

Yamucha looked down at Videl, eyebrows furrowing. “It’s bad lu…”

“If it’s not the Saint Elmo’s fire, you said so yourself, what’s the harm?”

He breathed out, his breath ruffling the hair on his forehead. “All right…” He turned away from the railing, shouting orders, then stepped off to take the wheel.

The Governor stepped up beside his daughter, shaking his head, but smiling kindly. “Must you be so curious about everything?”

Videl didn’t answer, her lips pursed tightly together. She stared at the now-dying glow, blue eyes wide with excitement. If it wasn’t Saint Elmo’s fire… then what could it be!

The boat drew closer and Videl’s eager eyes scanned the water, looking for a source of the glow. Again, she caught a view of something unexpected.

“Father!” she shouted, pointing down towards a drifting object in the water, “It’s a little girl! On a raft!”

The Governor looked over to see what she was pointing at. Sure enough, a tiny being clothed in a formless dress was laying across a drenched raft.

“Captain! Man overboard!”

The crew rushed to rescue the person, pulling them from the raft before the wake from the boat caused it to overturn. While they sent for a doctor, they spread the child along the deck, starting to remove the dress to check for wounds.

Videl approached with her father as the doctor arrived. The crew had moved away, going to check where the child could have come from — there was no land nearby. She watched the doctor check over the child, tapping slightly at the elbows and knees.

After a moment, the doctor moved to pick up the child. “He’ll be all right.”

“Wait — he? I’ve never seen a boy wearing a dress…” the Governor leaned forward. He knew the doctor was daft but…

“Yes, he would you like to check for yourself?”

The Governor frowned slightly, shaking his head. “No, that’s perfectly fine.” He looked down at Videl, putting his hand on her shoulder, “You’re in charge of him. Follow the doctor below deck and watch over the… boy.”

Videl nodded, glancing over her shoulder at where the glow had appeared once more before tagging behind the doctor below deck.

The doctor set the boy on a cot before grabbing a few white cloths to wrap his elbows and knees, instructing Videl on the dos-and-don’ts of patient care as he worked. When that was complete, he covered him with a light sheet and returned to his previous work.

She watched the doctor leave, then turned her eyes to the boy. A shining, star-shaped charm hung from a chain about his neck. Her eyes widened at the glowing crystal. How beautiful, stunning…

She reached out, her hand clasping around the star.

The doctor hadn’t mentioned it; the boy was unconscious, wouldn’t miss it… Besides, without her, he probably wouldn’t have survived. She deserved it.

A smile crossed her lips and she carefully removed it from the chain. The boy began to stir unexpectedly and she quickly thrust the charm into a pocket in the front of her billowing, lace dress, staring at his face expectantly.

The boy’s eyes snapped open suddenly. He looked around, panicked, and he sat up abruptly.

“Where –? Where..” he gasped, staring at Videl.

“Just relax… You’re on a boat now — you’re safe.” She drew her hand carefully out of her pocket, leaving the charm in place. She lay her hand atop his, pressing it gently to the thin mattress beneath him.

The boy licked his dry lips, the panic leaving slowly. He took in a few deep breaths, coughing as he drew his knees to his chest.

“I’m Videl..” Videl greeted, smiling sweetly at him, “What’s your name…?”

“G… Gohan…” His voice sounded weaker.

Oh, the poor thing must be tired. Videl moved her hands to his shoulders, gently laying Gohan back down. “You should sleep… It will be a while before we’re back to land.”

Gohan’s eyes drifted shut slowly and he nodded, “…All right…”.