Welcome to Boxer & Rice

“Torankusu!…Torankusu!!” A voice? It sounds so far away. Maybe it’s Gohan calling for me. I open my eyes hoping to see his smiling face. “Oh I’m glad you’re awake! You’ve been out for five days now.” I recognize that voice. “Kaasan..?” She’s only a formless blob of greenish blue until my vision returns fully. Then I remember why I’m lying here in the first place and turn my head away in shame. The bitter shame burning and stinging in my chest. It stung like the unshed tears in my eyes. I failed. “Mom…I’m sorry you were right, It was just like you said, they were too strong.” “I’m just glad you came back alive.” she said with a smile. I guess I’m glad too. Though I would have liked to see Gohan again. But not yet. Now that I’ve actually survived that encounter, I know my mission is not totally lost. I’ll have my revenge! But not yet.

***

When I’m finally healed, I decided to ride in the time machine she’s built. Kaasan truly is brilliant. I see why dad loved her, even though he may have never said so. I’m really looking forward to meeting him and this ‘Son kun’ she always spoke of. ‘There was nothing that man couldn’t do…’ she would say in awe.

“I wonder what dad was like” I thought aloud.”

“Don’t set your expectations too high.” She said, her smile faded at once. I thought that was rather harsh of her. It seemed she liked Gokuu san more than ‘tousan. Why? But I dismissed the thought.

***

I pack a small bag, taking only a precious few belongings. It’s best to travel light. There’s but so much room in the time machine after all. All the while I wonder if everything will go as planned. It seems simple enough. Since I can’t do this on my own. I realized that the hard and painful way at my last crushing defeat. Maybe I can find someone who can. Maybe the future won’t turn out so bleak and I could have lived a happier life. Maybe I could have seen my father, could have gained his love and respect like any son would want.

I say a farewell to ‘kasaan and climb into the machine. Before I leave she gets out a large marker and writes the word ‘HOPE!’ on the side. Arigatou ‘kasaan. Someone special once told me if you had hope you could do anything. I just wonder if I have enough of it.

After typing in the coordinates the machine ‘whooored’ and ‘clicked’ as it floated off the ground before disappearing in a flash of orange and blue light.

***

I don’t think I’ll ever get used to time travel. With all the technology we have in the future, it’s still a bumpy, nauseating ride. Mom was wise to install seatbelts. Whether my churning stomach is the result of the turbulence or my growing uneasiness at what and whom I may see in the other time line, I don’t know. Somehow, I have a feeling it’s more the latter of the two. Tousan…what will he think of me? I found my self starting to panic a little and actually tried to fix my hair as if that would guarantee his acceptance.

“What am I doing?” I realize how silly that is and how truly little I know of father. I hardly even know what he looks like. I was too young to remember his face and the rare photographs of him, he never looks towards the camera. I’ve never see more than half a scowl and exaggerated widow’s peak. I only know of his taciturn ways and hatred of anything weak. Then it comes to me, the only reason I’m going to their time is because I wasn’t strong enough to right the wrongs in my own.

My apprehension grew.

***

The trip was not long, but the whorl of conflicting thoughts in my head, and half digested food in my stomach made it seem like days instead of an hour.

When I arrived on the scene Furiiza and company had already come looking to pick a fight with Gokuu. The Gokuu that was no where to be found and wouldn’t be for a few hours more.

I’ll deal with this bastard.

//Here’s my chance to prove myself//

Watch me ‘tousan’ I thought to myself as my hair bled into gold and I obliterated their once unbeatable enemies effortlessly. I loved the look on Furiiza’s face before I sent him to hell, where he should have been in the first place. I loved the look on ‘tousan’s face as I turned super saiya-jin. I think that got his attention more than anything.

***

As we sit and wait for ‘Son kun’ I look at the group around me. They’re a strange bunch, and mom never once mentioned Tien. I see my young mother. She has changed little over the years, though I cannot say the same for her hairstyles. This one was particularly bizarre. I look over the rest of the motely crew. A colourful bunch. They’re all giving me just as odd a look, but once I spot my father I hardly notice.

Just looking at him he already seems different from what I expected. Though not at all the disappointment mom made it seem he would be. In my mind he always took the form of someone untouchable and larger than life. His still does give off a kind of superior aura despite his diminutive size. Though he is not as strong as I, I can see the power radiating from him. ‘Kasaan’s few, brief stories didn’t give away much about the man. Now that I’ve seen him with my own eyes, her retelling did him little justice. She glorified ‘Son Kun’ over him!?

Feeling my scrutiny, he looks up from the boulder he’s sitting on, far away from the group, to lock eyes with me. He looks at me for quite a while, not even blinking and staring me down as if I were some new threat or intruder, sizing me up as any warrior would. He also seems annoyed at my constant glances. For some reason I can’t look away. He’s..so…

“Rgghr! WHAT are you staring at!?” his voice booms menacingly. His voice a perfect match for his arrogant, princely demeanour.

//You//

Wait…damn it! I pissed him off now. Oh god! Just say something! ANYthing!

“Uh…I like your shirt.”

//Brilliant.//

He settles back on his throne like bolder, crossing his arms in disdain.

“You _would_”

“…”

-What’s that suppose to mean? How can he tell I’m…? Nevermind.-

***

We wait a half an hour longer at the place where Son kun would land. Everyone’s a little edgy. We’ve waited longer than I said we’d have to. I stare up at the sky as Kuririn amuses himself with an empty can. A loud metallic ‘clang’ sounds as he kicks it a little too hard. Father shoots him a look that would peel the paint off a wall.

“Uh..heh..sorry.”

He sneers and folds his arms again, staring at the sky also. I wonder why he’s chosen to stay here. I thought he “hated Kakarotto.” Once Furiiza was defeated there was no other reason to stay. Shouldn’t he have left? Odd.

My musing is cut short when a tiny ship emerges through the clouds.

“That should be him.” I state, drawing everyone’s attention to his approaching pod. Sand billows and whirls around us as the pod’s propulsion system slows it’s descent and comes to rest before us. A dark, tossled head is the first to appear. From that alone I already know who it is. It’s odd how many more pictures of Gokuu mom had than ‘tousan. Then it’s owner soon follows. So I finally meet the great Son kun, in the flesh. Everyone is a little surprised by his attire but still quite pleased to finally have him back. His absence seems to take its toll on everyone. But now that he’s returned a sense of ease is evident in their expressions and smiles. The ever aloof ‘tousan stands back from the group with his arms crossed. It was my turn to be surprised by the look on his face. I thought he would look at his all time rival with complete malice or at least annoyance. But he too has a sort of relieved expression on his face. Not just that, but something in his eyes I can’t place. Not at all what I expected from him upon Gokuu’s return.

***

I walk over and give Gokuu a quick looking over. “Nice to finally meet you! I’ve heard a lot about you!”

“Oh really? Gosh I didn’t know I was so popular! Ah haha!” he says laughing with one hand behind his head. A crazy grin on his face. He’s a silly, silly man but pretty funny. In a weird sort of way, I think to myself a little bemused. But all joking aside.

“Oh, um Gokuu, could I talk to you over here for a minute?”

***

“And that’s about it. The androids pretty much destroyed my world so I came back here to warn you long before they arrive. This way you could train hard and be ready for them. Mom and I figured this would change everything in the future and things won’t turn out so horribly.”

A picture of Gohan’s smiling, scarred, face flashes in my mind.

Gokuu looks thoughtful for a while. Absorbing everything I’ve told him.

“Wow…I guess we really got our work cut out for us! I can’t believe all that happened. And Buruumaa and Bejiita!? Whoa never saw that one coming!!” he said a little too loudly.

“Uh Gokuu, please don’t mention that to anyone, ’cause..uh..I might not be born.” I say sheepishly.

“Heh oh yea.”

***

We return to the group getting several strange glances from the other Z warriors. ‘Tousan and Pikkoro especially.

//I hope those ears are just for show// And ‘tousan, why does he look pissed again? Pissed at me. All I’ve done is talk to Gokuu. Odd