Finding Hope

Chapter 71: 22's Decision!

Tsubaki's pov

All I could hear was the faint sounds of loud beeping, it sounded like a heart monitor. I heard faint voices talking, as I felt an object pierce my skin. I opened my eyes, barely being able to make out the figures standing above me. A light shined brightly, as several people in a light blue hospital gown appeared standing over me. My eyes shifted over to a familiar figure, as my vision cleared a bit. An oxygen mask appeared over my mouth and I visibly began to panic, I had no clue where the hell I was. "No.. No... Dad.. Dad, help.." I managed to utter those words, as a gas was released into the mask. "Just relax, Tsubaki. We're here to help fix you up, not hurt you. I promise. Just take a deep breath. You'll be okay." I slipped back unconscious, as an anesthetic was pumped into the mask.

Flashback....

"Hey," I didn't turn my head back to see who was standing behind me, I already knew who it was. Trunks and I were 12 at the time, whereas Gohan nearing adulthood. "What are you doing way up here?" Gohan took a step towards me, before sitting beside me on the boulder I had been sitting on. "I just came up here to think... Away from Trunks and Mom." I kept my eyes forward, looking out at the beautiful sunset and clouds. "And the androids?" He quipped, when I didn't answer he let out a sigh. "I know.. I know how you feel, Tsu." Gohan stated, "Do you? Do you really know Gohan?" I snapped, standing to my feet as I looked at him. He looked up at me, not the least bit surprised by my sudden angry outburst. He had gotten used to it by now, which is why he never scolded me for getting angry with him like that. "Do you know how it actually fucking feels to feel so damn useless?!! Those damn things won't stop killing people for fun and I've had it!! All we've been doing is training to beat them, but it feels like everything we've thrown at them just won't work. How are we supposed to stop them once and for all, Gohan?!! Huh?!! At this point, it would be better to just hide and never come out! Everything we've done is so useless. All the training.. Saving people who end up getting killed a day later.. Trying to find a way to beat them!! It's all so damn useless!!" Tears streamed down my face, as I absolutely lost my temper. My tail frizzed up, standing straight up. Gohan didn't say anything at first, so it stayed silent. A small breeze passed through, the two of us keeping eye contact with one another. "What's the point, Gohan? We have to face it.. We're never going to destroy the androids.. We're just not strong enough to stop them for good. So what's the point in fighting anymore?" Tears continued to slip down my cheeks, as my eyes broke away from Gohan's.

"Are you really giving up?" He asked.

"..... I.. I- I don't know. I don't know what I'm fighting for anymore." I said softly.

Gohan placed his hands on my shoulder, as he bent down in front of me. "Look at me, Tsu." I obeyed his instructions, my eyes once again connecting with his. "I know you feel helpless. I know it may seem useless, but it's not. I promise you. All that we're doing.. All the people we've managed to save in the last several years and those we lost, aren't in vain. It isn't stupid to feel like giving up.. But you giving up, Means your giving up on all the people that are still alive. Including Mom, Bulma, Trunks, Master Roshi, Puar, Oolong, Asher, Oliver... All of them. I know you feel useless, but you aren't. You shouldn't even remotely feel like that when it comes to saving our family and our friends. You have potential, Little Tsu. Even if I can't beat them and I die by their hands, I know both you and Trunks have the potential to take them down for good. So don't think that any of our efforts are in vain because they aren't. It may take a while to become stronger than them, but I just know. One day, you two will be strong enough to protect everyone in this world. I know you can do it, Little Tsu. So hold your head up high, my dear little sister. You are going to do incredible things one day. I believe that with my whole heart, so please don't cry." He wiped away my tears, pulling me into a tight hug as I wrapped my arms around him.