Here’s the fifth chapter of ‘Innocence Lost’. I realise that I’ve jumped ahead a bit story wise so I’ve decided to slow things down with this chapter. Read and review!

The sun slowly rose across the horizon and the sky lit up with a blue tint showing it was going to be a perfect day. As the sunbeams struck the Imperial palace, Gohan had just finished changing into his Imperial robes. He had gotten up early to have a walk around the palace and have a few moments to himself. Ever since his tutoring with Hei Lu yesterday, Gohan had had a lot on his mind.

Gohan silently moved out of his room and floated two feet above the floor in order to avoid making any noise. He then started to glide forward in the direction of the palace gardens, a place that Gohan found very restful. As he floated along the corridors Gohan rolled the words from yesterday around in his head. Only 1 possible Ally out of 7? To actually reunite Kamon seemed to be a daunting task.

Then again Gohan had accomplished seemingly impossible tasks before though not without difficulty. He also had a few ideas to announce later in the day at the Imperial Court though he was unsure of how they would be received. Gohan could only hope that he was doing the right thing.

Gohan had by this time gone quietly through the door, which led to the gardens. They were indeed beautiful, separated into eight small sections via hedges; each one was a carefully crafted masterpiece. Before the civil war had started, Closater had been the part of the Empire well renowned for both its natural beauty and those who were able to turn that beauty into the most brilliant gardens. Gohan currently employed seven gardeners who had tended the palace before; each took care of their own section while teaching Gohan to take care of the eighth. Gohan couldn’t help but notice that their gentle way of teaching was more effective than his mother’s strict regime.

Gohan moved onto his personal section of the garden. The smallest section but also the most beautiful and the most serene, just the way Gohan had intended. There was a small spring of pure, cool water in the north of the garden, which flowed to the west amongst the flowerbed. The flowers themselves were extremely beautiful, a range of colours of red, blue, yellow and purple. All colours intermingled with the other giving a view of pure bright colours amongst the ground.

Along the east of the section of the garden there was a long section of long grass that gave a shadow over the natural dirt path that ran from the entrance to the garden in the south to the edge of the spring. As soon as Gohan entered the garden his mind became calmer as the beauty of the flowers and the trickling stream soothed his mind. Gohan went over to the spring and sat down, allowing his mind to ponder the various problems ahead of him.

1st problem; Gohan knew that there Lords out there whose strength rivalled his own. Gohan counted about six people who were as strong as him and all of them were bound to be hostile according to what Hei Lu told him. No chance for diplomacy and so he would have to kill them all if he wanted to return home.

2nd problem; Though Gohan had made sweeping reforms in Closater in terms of social and economical means, the country was still backwards and poorly defended. Any attack by a large force would be devastating before Gohan could react at all. The only way Gohan could combat this threat would be to create an army, which would not be popular with anybody at all.

3rd problem; Could he actually do everything that was expected of him? Doubts assailed Gohan as previous failures such as Cell came to mind. His failure there had cost Gohan’s father his life. Gohan had always blamed himself for Goku’s death and despite the protests of his friends to the contrary,

Gohan felt tears run down his cheeks as the cost of his failure came back. How could he protect the people when he failed to protect his own father? Gohan let go completely and his body wracked with grief as the sobs came uncontrolled. Gohan was so overcome that he failed to notice someone had entered the garden until they put their hand on his shoulder.

Gohan spun around in surprise and saw one of the maids of the palace looking at him with concern. She looked around 20, was very pretty with dark green eyes, a light skin complexion, a small mouth and long raven black hair. Gohan had seen her around the palace before but had failed to learn her name. Though she had seemed to be the one in charge and always seemed to be smiling.

Gohan turned away from her and tried to shrug off her hand, embarrassed that he had been caught out. But the hand stayed on his shoulder, refusing to go. The woman sat down beside him “What’s wrong?” She asked.

Gohan hesitated before answering but he thought, why not? “I... I can’t do this anymore. Too many people are depending on me. And I can’t live up to what they want. My father has already died because of my failure...” Gohan stopped as tears overcame him once more.

The maid paused for a moment before considering her answer. Gohan tried once again to control himself but his fears and doubts repeatedly overcame him. After a few moments, the maid finally answered, “Do you know why people depend on you?” She asked quietly.

Gohan shook his head as he listened to what she had to say, “It is because they know they can trust you.”

Gohan looked at her in disbelief “Why? Why should they trust me when they don’t know how I feel?”

“They trust you because of who you are. They trust you because of what you have done for them. Alone of all the Lords, you’ve forgone lining your own pocket in order to help the common people. They trust you because you care for them.”

Gohan took in these words and considered them. The maid was heartened to see that Gohan seemed to agree to with what she had said. But her confidence darkened when Gohan gave a cynical smirk and asked “I wonder if they would trust me if they saw me like this.”

The maid sighed thoughtfully as she gave her answer “I think they would trust you even more. They would look at someone who was more than willing to live up to their expectations. They would also see an Emperor who cares deeply about the people who love him.”

Gohan breathed as his tears subsided “And what do you think when you look at me?” He asked.

The maid decided that honesty would be best right now “I see a young man who is trying his best to help people. Though it seems that he’s overcome by his responsibilities I believe that he will be able to rise above them and become the Emperor he wants to be.”

Gohan looked at the maid and gave a genuine smile “Thank you.” He said thankfully.

The maid smiled “It’s OK. It’s not every maid who can boast to be a counsel to an Emperor.” She held out her hand “My name’s Miko by the way. I already know yours from the coins.”

Gohan smiled and shook her hand “Thanks a lot Miko. I needed this more than you can imagine.” Gohan released the tension in his body and lay down, his head resting in the grass “I’ve just been overcome by all these responsibilities and worries about how to reunite the Empire. You wouldn’t have any thoughts would you?”

Miko thought for a moment before answering “You could always ask them around for a civilised talk.” They looked at each other for a moment before bursting into grins, “Yeah, I didn’t think so.” Miko conceded.

“I’m prepared to fight to reunite the Empire, but I just can’t think about killing so many people. Lashur was in defence of other people but I can’t think about the others...” Gohan lapsed into silence as he thought about what was to come.

Miko gently laid her hand on his shoulder “Whatever you do, everybody will be behind you.” Gohan smiled at her and nodded. He closed his eyes and allowed his body to completely relaxed. Miko looked down at Gohan and felt sorry for him, he was nine years younger than Miko herself and carried far more responsibilities than any other eleven old ever had.

Miko frowned as she remembered that Gohan had spent pretty much all his time at work with no time off. All work and no play made a very dull Emperor indeed. Miko smiled mischievously as she poised her hands above Gohan’s half asleep body “Gohan?” She said quietly.

Gohan opened his eyes very slightly and gave an “Mmm?”

“Think fast!” She cried and dug into his ribs, tickling furiously. Gohan went bugged eyed and started laughing uncontrollably. Gohan managed to struggle away and rised to his knees “I’m going to get you for that.” He said, still laughing slightly.

“You’ll have to catch me first!” Miko cried and started to run, Gohan chasing after her. He kept at a normal pace, as going at his usual speed would have ended the fun.

From the door leading to the gardens from the castle, Hei Lu looked on to Gohan and Miko running through the gardens. He smiled as the two continued with their game, knowing that Gohan needed this dearly. Hei Lu walked back into the castle and walked through the corridors until he found a sentry who had risen to take his place at the front door “Excuse me, you there!” Hei Lu called out.

The sentry stood to attention and gave Hei Lu a salute “Yes, High Minister?”

“Send a messenger around to all officials that court will be delayed for an hour today. Oh, and that no one is to enter the gardens until that time.”

A look of worry crossed the sentry’s face “Is the Emperor all right sir?” He asked.

Hei Lu gave a small chuckle “I suspect that the Emperor is feeling a lot better than he has for some time.”

Gohan gave a small content sigh as he stared out the window to the sunset. The session at court had gone surprisingly well. His ideas for a professional army was accepted on the basis that the soldiers would be properly trained and subject to the law, unlike the armies of Lashur. The court had also allowed the establishment of a security force for the cities, towns and villages of Gohan’s territory, which were in fact Gohan’s way of establishing a police force in the Empire.

As Gohan walked towards the study where his meeting with Hei Lu was going to take place. Gohan had pretty much learnt all there was to know about the history, rituals and politics but there were still some things that needed clearing up. He also thought back to the morning not so long ago where he was assailed by doubts but now felt more sure than ever.

As he entered the study, Gohan was surprised that not only Hei Lu was in there but Miko as well. Hei Lu noticed Gohan’s expression and smiled “I thought that Miko would be a great aid to your studies.” He said, “I believe she may lighten the atmosphere somewhat.”

Gohan broke into a broad smile and nodded. He rushed to the chair beside Miko and sat down hurriedly as Hei Lu got out a book and started to read the passage within the weighty tome. Though Gohan didn’t realise it until much later, what he had with Miko and Hei Lu at that moment, was the closest thing he had to a proper family moment in a long time.

To be continued...

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