Krillin and 18: One Stupid Kiss

Part 7: Might Be Onto Something

Krillin backed out of cranium contact range for old times' sake after knocking on the Son family front door. The prickly air skewered the skin on his bare arms, already taut with grim anticipation. Krillin felt a weight lift from his shoulders when he heard Chi Chi call from the other side, "Gohan. Can you get the the door please?" The half-Saiyan opened up shortly afterward, and his face lit up like stars when he saw the short man.

"Kril-" his gleeful exclamation was halted by a swift hand gag and frantic shushing from Krillin. So Gohan gave him a bone crushing bear hug instead.

"I didn't think you'd come back this fast," Gohan whispered, catching onto Krillin not wanting his mother to hear. The miniscule monk hunched over limply when the warrior released him.

"I, actually came to ask a favor," he asked when some of his breath returned to him. "I have an idea, but I'm gonna need help." Gohan cocked his head.

"What is it?"

"Remember Trunks?"

"Of, course!"

"Remember how he got here and left?" At that, Gohan's eyes went wide.

"Are you- You're not thinking of-" Krillin's eager nodding cut him off.

"But why," his blatant confusion reminded Krillin of the boy's late father for some reason. He briefly filled in Gohan on how he found out 17 and 18 were kidnapped by Gero.

"If I can go back and stop him, he'll never get to 18. He won't have a reason to create Cell. The games will never happen. And Goku will be here again!" He was overflowing with hope; he had not felt like this in a long time. Gohan, on the contrary, appeared unsure.

"Where do I come in?" he asked, not liking Krillin smiling sheepishly while scratching the back of his head.

"Well I might need some back up when I travel back to the past... Aaaand to Bulma's lab when I ask her for the time machine."

"Krillin, I really don't know," Gohan faltered while rubbing his arm.

"Come on, Gohan," he begged. "We could bring back your dad." The Saiyan hybrid leered at him, then heaved a defeated sigh.

"Okay. But last thing. How am I supposed to convince my mom to let me go?"

"Hey you were able to get Namek passed her, weren't you?" Gohan scowled at him. Krillin shrugged with glee as a response.

***

Krillin missed the freedom he felt while flying; being weightless in the sky and the wind kissing his face. Perhaps flying with friends, or simply without an anvil on you conscience, granted a different experience.

"Hey, Krillin?" Gohan's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Yeah?"

"There's something else I forgot to ask you. What about Android 18?" Krillin furrowed his brows.

"What about her?" 

"If we're successful during the trip, you'll never meet her." The monk came to an abrupt stop in the air.

"I actually didn't think of that," he contemplated in a rather dejected manner. Then he shook it off and continued his voyage. "Let's just keep going."

"But don't you like her?" the annoying teenager argued.

Krillin looked at the ground beneath him. The water they were passing reminded of him of the heart to heart he'd had with the android merely days ago.

"I-" he sighed heavily. "I know she'll be happier this way." Gohan looked ready to protest further, but instead- "Krillin!" his warning came too late as the finished warrior smacked face first into a tree, slid down until his butt smacked the floor, and fell flat on his back.