Information

Dragon Ball New Generation
The Xiol Saga

Chapter 44 - Ready, Steady, Go!

It was morning, and a group of friends were out shopping for some food.  
"Don't you think this Gokun would like fish platter?" Pastri asked.
"I don't know Pastri.  Fish?" Gokou said.
"You're right.  What else is there-" 
"I'll look for the cakes we can bring" he insisted.
Pastri laughed.
"You'll eat them first"

"What's so funny?"
They both turned around to find Linni.  She was also shopping.
"Hi Linni.  What's that in the box?"
She lifted it up and smiled.
"It's a cheesecake I purchased just before.  I ordered it a few days ago, and came straight after work to pick it up."
"Who's it for?"
"Gokun of course.  To wish him luck."
"Smart move." Pastri complimented.  
The two began talking and talking until Gokou grew tired and walked outside.  He leaned over the ledge to take a better look of the shopping complex.  So many people.

Not faraway, another group of people were walking by. They stood talking about where to go next, when something caught her eye.
Art was with Suite and her father and mother.  Suite and Art were holding hands when she saw Gokou at the ledge.  Immediately she felt sad, and even more so when Gokou saw her.  They stared for a bit before Gokou walked off.  Art felt hurt, but also angry at herself.

Linni and Pastri had just exited the shop and saw the incident between Art and Gokou.  They sighed.
"Poor Gokou.  Broken hearted."
"He's a tough guy.  He can pull through" Linni said cheerfully.

***

Inside the large garage designated for them, Sage, Thyme and Rue were still working on the motor race car.  Checking the engine, checking the added parts to the interior, and the speed and control on the thing.  Sage started the engine, as Rue stood over the hood of the car.
"All good!" he called over the sound.  Sage didn't hear it, so Thyme gave him the thumbs up.  Soon, Pastri, Linni and Gokou turned up.
"The racing track is huge!" Linni said.
Sage turned off the engine and greeted their friends.
"What brings you guys here?"
"We brought food for all you guys, and good luck for Gokun." Pastri said.
Linni gave the three their food, which they were grateful for.  They hadn't been eating for the entire day.  Gokou looked around.
"So where is Gokun anyway?"
Rue stuffed a rice ball down his throat and pointed to the closed door behind them.  
"Gokun's inside reviewing some details on the car." Thyme added.

As everyone ate, Gokou entered the room, surprised to find the man resting on the couch near the window.  The sound of the closing door was enough to wake him up.
"Geez Gokou, it's you."
"You're sleeping?  Still can't get enough sleep Gokun-san?"
Gokun rubbed his eyes and sat up.
"Still the same.  Haven't been getting enough sleep lately.  Its draining me.  On top of that, I haven't been feeling well either."
"Yeah you do look a tad pale."
"Must be from the lack of sleep.  It's giving me headaches and a dizzy feeling."
Gokou told him about Linni, Pastri and himself coming to give him luck for tomorrow.  Gokun smiled and ate the cheesecake Linni brought for him.  
"Sleeping again?" Thyme asked.
Gokun nodded.
"You've got to get enough sleep Gokun, or you won't be ready for tomorrow.  You don't want to turn up when its all finished." Sage told him.  
The conversation about Gokun then changed.
"So have you been able to 'wow' that girl, Gokou?" Rue asked.
Gokou almost choked on his burger and smiled awkwardly.
"Not the way I wanted it too."
Pastri explained the situation to them all, and Rue cheered him up.
"There's plenty of other burgers in the shops!"
Everyone began staring at him before Linni corrected him.
"Don't you mean, there are plenty of other fish in the sea?"
"Yeah," Rue laughed, "I was thinking about the hamburger I'm eating.  Haven't eaten something for so long."
"I couldn't do that." Gokou said, "If I'm hungry-"
"Yeah, we know you Gokou." they all joked.

After consuming the entire lunch, Linni, Pastri and Gokou left.
"Make sure you get enough sleep Gokun" Linni advised.
"Yeah we wouldn't want to call you five minutes before." Rue poked fun at.
"I will." said Gokun.
"See yah, we'll all see you tomorrow" Pastri called as she waved them off.