>>5207970You think it over a few moments, not breaking eye contact, and after an uncomfortably long pause come to your answer. It's probably not the answer she wants to hear in this state, but you'd do her a disservice by lying to her face like this. So you speak the truth.
“If none of the enemies I've made over the years get to me first? Yeah, yeah I probably would kiddo.” you say, her jaw dropping as she looks horrified at your answer. “We're not like all these other, weaker creatures in the universe. We Saiyans are a warrior race, living and dying in battle.”
“But why?” she asks, eyes wide in shock. “Why would you want to leave us all behind?”
“As much as I don't like thinking about it, one day my life will eventually come to an end.” you tell her with a sigh, shoulders slumping a bit as you speak frankly to her. “Me, your mother, all your brothers and sisters, King Vegeta, even Freeza, one day we all will parish. But thanks to you and your amazing gifts that you were born with, that day will likely not be for a long time yet.”
“Then why did grandpa want to go away?” she asks you, her expression seemingly angry. “Why did he want to die?”
“When I was about your age, I'd hear some of the older warriors talking to each other late at night time to time.” you tell her, remaining seated as her expression turns more curious. “And I remember that more than once, I'd hear someone say that it was their time to go. At first I didn't know what they'd mean, but every time someone said that, they never returned. I think that when you get old enough, you just know when it's your time to go. And your grandpa knew today was his turn.”
“I just don't get it!” she exclaims angrily, more frustrated than you've seen her in awhile. “He didn't have to die today. He could have lived, whatever was wrong with him I could have fixed!”
“I know you could have kiddo.” you tell her, again embracing your daughter tightly to you. “You've kept me alive more times than I can count. And I heard about how important you were to keeping your brothers and sister alive against those Hive monsters. You have rare gifts that make you special kiddo, you're one of a kind.”
She stammers for a second or two, clearly unsure what to say, and instead slams herself into your chest, hugging you tight once more.
“I love you Daddy.” she says, clutching you with near-desperate intensity. You return her hug, far more gently than hers for fear of breaking her, and reply.
“You too kiddo. Love you too.” you tell her, the two of you staying there on the beach for several quiet moments until she starts loosening her grip. You do the same, then the former Guardian's spirit begins speaking.
cont
