Hey everyone! I'm going to try and get a routine going of each time I post a chapter for "Curves of Life," I'm going to type a chapter for "Apple of my Eye." I like the idea of GokuxTien relationships, and I haven't come across many. Tien is my favorite over all character, but so many seem to forget he exists. I got so pissed when the only fight we see during the Universe of Power Tournament in Dragon Ball Super of Tien fight, he is eliminated. He's so underappreciated and I think he deserves a little more attention.

Each time I sit down to type a chapter for "Apple of my Eye," I reread either the previous chapter of all earlier chapters. I've noticed that I haven't been consistent with some of my descriptions of a female Goku's appearance. The first chapter, I had said that her hair was in a braid over her right shoulder, but in the 3rd chapter, I stated "usual bedhead style." So, here's my actual thought process is that a female Goku would have the spiky hair that the male Goku has, but the length to between shoulder blades and middle of her back. Does that clear that up? Clear as mud?

Onward!

Tien awoke with the sun shining on his face, Chiaotzu must have opened the window when he woke as the taller could hear birds singing their morning songs, loud and clear. Memories of the previous night in the park with Goku floods his mind and the former Crane school pupil allowed a rare smile to appear on his usually stoic face. If Tien were to be completely honest, he would have never had guessed that Goku wanted a life full of family, love, and happiness. Plus, she knew it wasn't going to be all gumdrops and ice cream all the time. Admittedly, she understood that more than any of them. Nothing that she has earned throughout her life has been easy, far from being handed to her. Life hasn't been kind to Goku, but she has been kind to all around her.

Even himself. That day of the tournament last time, confronting Master Roshi, or Jackie Chun as he was disguised, flipped a switch in his mind. It was far from unsettling in the worst conceivable way. He'd never been so repulsed by finally truly SEEING what he was being groomed into, so ashamed at the fact that he was being used as a mere pawn by people who he only wished to make proud of him. That last battle with Goku was the final nail in the coffin. Master Shen showed that he didn't care for the two of them. Showed that he never did. All Master Shen wanted was to make Master Roshi and all associated with him to feel fear, and to question their code.

Then Master Roshi took his resolve. Made him see that he was so far beyond his former master. Tien had surpassed his master long ago. Roshi showed him that he wasn't the killer that he had thought he was meant to be. He'd always had pains in the pit of his stomach, which after the tournament last time, he'd learned was guilt. He'd vowed that he'd never show malice unto anyone unless it was in a true life or death situation.

Tien arose from his bed and stretched his tall body. After he dressed for the tournament, he went downstairs to eat a light breakfast. Just because he was competing, didn't mean he would give his opponents any type of upper hand in defeating him. Chiaotzu was sitting with the others, except for Bulma and Goku. He was sure Bulma was trying to get Goku to wear make-up. She didn't need any of that gunk. She was a true natural beauty. "Good morning. I hope you all slept well." Tien bows to the master of the group. He ordered his breakfast and as it was brought, Bulma and Goku entered the room.

Goku was behind the heiress with her eyes downcast. Bulma greeted all the men with a cheery hello, while Goku merely grumbled. All the males at the table glanced around at each other before Krillin broke the awkward silence, "Goku, what's the matter?"

Goku looked up with a glare toward Bulma. It was clear that the elder of the two had gotten what she wanted because it was clear that Goku had lipstick, eyeliner, and mascara on her face, but it seemed as though it was only those, the rest of her appearance seemed as normal as usual. "Bulma wouldn't leave me alone unless she did my hair and make-up." The eighteen-year-old girl pouted. Tien had to close his eyes as the make-up made Goku look far too tempting. "I told her she could put my hair up and tightly out of my way, but then she threatened me until I let her put that goop that was the same color as my face and then SHE WOULDN'T STOP!"

"Didn't you say last night that you didn't want to have make-up on because you'd sweat it off?" Yamcha asked.

"You're right! I did say that!"

"Bulma, you have always gotten on my case for not respecting boundaries. For violating someone's comfort zone. Goku clearly stated that she doesn't like, nor she wanted to wear make-up for the matches, but you forced her anyway." Yamcha berated his girlfriend. Krillin and Tien visibly straightened up at the thought of anyone forcing Goku to do anything against her will. "I think you owe Goku an apology, babe."

"Oh my god! You're right! Goku, I'm so sorry! I had completely forgotten you said that, but I just wanted you to look nice during your fights. You know more than anyone how obsessed I am with fashion and looks. I'll try to remember that from now on." Bulma quickly begged for Goku's forgiveness. "But you have to admit that you look like a true force to be reckoned with, in and out of the ring."

Goku quickly glanced at Tien then back down in her lap. She hoped that he didn't think any less of her. For allowing herself to be subjected to Bulma's whims. After their talk, the night before, she'd laid awake for a while. She couldn't get the thought out of her head, that just maybe, Tien returned the same feelings toward her. At the same time, if he didn't, and just pitied her, Goku didn't know how she'd react.

Goku's only experience with heartbreak was when she woke up to her beloved Grandpa Gohan, bloodied and body broken. Dead. She may have been young when he fought the Moon Monster, but he always made a point to be clear on the fact have he was old and wouldn't be around forever. She remembered crying for him to wake up. Screaming for someone to come help her, knowing that there was no one to help her. No one ever came that far up the mountain. So once her eyes were dry, she fetched the two old buckets and walked the dirt path to the stream. She glanced back at her grandfather, she barely recognized him with all that blood on him. She'd bathe him, just as he had done for her so many nights. She would use once bucket to keep the cloth free of blood, while the other to rinse the blood from the cloth. As she returned, Goku quickly placed one bucket over the fire pit and lit it. She began with the face of the man she had treasured for so long. Tears fell as she whispered apologies for not helping him, for not hearing the monster approach, in anger for him leaving her when she still needed him so. Goku tore his battered tunic from his torso and cleansed his wounds. Wiping the blood and dirt from each laceration, being sure that no liquid or speck of dirt was left behind. Goku discarded his boots and his socks. She rolled up the gentle man's pant legs as much as she could and continued scrubbing his legs clean.

Once her grandfather was as clean as her small body could get him, Goku rushed back into the hut to find his favorite garb and began dressing him to lay him to rest. She had a tough time lifting the dead weight to put each garment on properly and nicely. After he was dressed, Goku walked the path behind her home to her grandfather's favorite place to meditate, the great Shidare tree. Stopping at their garden, she seized the shovel. She cried and sang the ancient lullaby her grandfather would sing every night to ease her mind into relaxation. She dug as far down as she could and still be able to climb out of the hole.

Due to being covered in dirt and sweat, Goku decided that before she wrapped her grandfather in the white burial cloth that he repeatedly told her was for when he passed on, she needed to bathe. She went ahead to dump her buckets out and began pulling water from the well to fill the basin that was permanently place on large stones above a designated fire pit. The small girl lit the logs and filled the basin steadily. Once it was filled, all the water was hot enough to bathe in. Goku went inside the hut for her soap and some lavender blossoms to soothe her broken heart. Quickly drying off, the young girl returned the soap and retrieved the three oils for the ritual she needed to perform but had never seen.

"Grandpa, please forgive me if I do this wrong. I miss you so much already. My chest hurts because you aren't here anymore. I love you and hope as I grow up, I can make you proud. I hope you will be the first person I see when I come to join you on the other side. Rest easy, Grandpa Gohan. I'll take care of our home. I promise." Using the last bit of water, Goku sprinkled some onto Gohan's lips and place the six coins from a box inside designated for this specific occasion. As she placed each coin upon Gohan's still chest, she whispers, "Gohan Son, I pray these coins will be sufficient to cross The River of Three Crossings, to reach peace." Goku methodically consecrates Gohan's body with each of the oils. After wrapping his body in the sheet, she brought the wheeled cart beside his body and with as much care as she could muster.

She gently pushed the cart with her only family slowly down the path to what she had deemed long ago as Grandpa's Spot. She held her grip tight as to not go too fast, nor loose him. Grandpa had taught her a sutra to chant to bless his journey, heal her broken heart, but she only wished to convey how much she loved him and will miss him so much. She lifted him off the cart and laid him gently next to his final resting place. She hopped into the fresh hole and smoothly pulled the only other person to ever be in her life, into the tomb.

She climbed out and looked down into the grave. "Good-bye, Grandpa. As much as I wish I could join you in your new adventure, I know everyone must make this journey alone. I love you. Thank you for taking care of me. Please look over me as I grow. Please send me a friend so I'm not alone forever." Goku filled the crypt slowly, apologizing with every shade full of dirt, hoping this wasn't a sign of disrespect. It had to be done though.

Once it was filled, Goku strolled to Gohan's favorite meadow close by. Picking a few handfuls of the Japanese Buttercups, she settled next to where his head laid and began to weave a multilayer wreath to lay at the base of the old tree. As Goku weaved, she thought about how even though they didn't know her actual birthdate, he always made a point to give Goku a brand spanking new Gi on the anniversary of when he found her in the forest. Thought about how he taught her martial arts, to always bow in respect to anyone older than her. Took her to her first and only Tea Ceremony, which was incredibly boring to such a young girl. All the same, she showed respect to the hosting couple.

Coming back to the present, she glanced around and noticed everyone but Master Roshi. "Where did everyone go, Master?' The now eighteen-year-old questioned.

"Goku, there is a particularly important piece of the puzzle into becoming a master of martial arts, and that piece is observation. When you know someone for as long as I've known you, or a parent raising their child, you notice when another loved one is distracted or not acting like their normal self. You, my dear, are very lost in thought and not your cheery self. What is on your mind, Hitomi?"

"Where do you want me to start? I'm so confused." Goku looked into the eyes of her master, a second grandfather figure in her life.

"Well, let's start by what has you distracted this morning. We can work back from there." Roshi offered.

"Ok, I was thinking about how heartbroken I was when I found Grandpa that morning after the Moon Monster killed him. How I miss him and wish he was still here. I was always so mad at myself for sleeping through the attack. I could have saved him." As Goku spoke, Master Roshi had a flashback of his own to the last tournament, of Goku transforming into the Moon Monster before his eyes. It was then he realized that the sweet girl he's witnessed growing up, killed her first parental figure, by complete accident. "I had to bury him on my own. He never spoke of you or the Ox King."

"Goku, you said that you were thinking about heartbreak when you were starting to think of him. Why heartbreak?" Her sensei questioned.

"Well, that was the only heartbreak I've ever experienced besides Krillin dying three years ago. I'm, well, afraid of getting my heart broken."

"What on earth did you kids talk about all night?" Master Roshi was flabbergasted.

"It was more after we separated to our own rooms. Bulma and I started talking about finding me a boyfriend from the men to go into the finals of the tournament, then she started asking me if in my travels I had met any guy who made me feel warm inside, that I felt like I could feel comfortable enough letting my guard down around, who I was attracted to. We came to realize that there was only one man who I've ever worried about, felt comfortable around, and I do think he's very handsome. The only think holding me back is knowing how he feels about me." Goku looked at the clock. "Oh, man! I got to get to the preliminary building! I'm so late!" Goku ran as fast as she could. Luckily, the complex wasn't far from their hotel.

Goku quickly found her friends and found out that they hadn't called her name to draw her lot. "Hello, Goku! It's wonderful to see you again." The group spun around to find a petite woman with long, black hair into a tight bun. The four young men's mouths dropped at the sight at such a pretty woman.

"Goku, do you know who this is?"

"Well, she must know me since she knows my name, but I'm afraid I don't recognize her."

"Goku, you've changed so much, I suppose it's only fair that I've changed in your eyes as well and you haven't seen me since you fought the Red Ribbon Army and saved Daddy and me."

"Wait... Chi-Chi?!" Goku gaped. Yamcha gulped with fear of if she'd recognized him. Tien, Krillin, and Chiaotzu just looked lost.

"Yes, silly! I haven't seen you in forever, so I thought you forgot your promise to be my best friend forever."

"Of course, I didn't forget. I've just been training constantly, that I haven't had time to visit anyone. Oh, Chi-Chi, this is Krillin, Yamcha, Chiaotzu , and Tien. They are my friends."

"It's nice to meet you all and to see Yamcha again. Have you drawn your numbers yet? My name hasn't been called."

Just as the boys were about to retort, the announcer called Goku's name. Goku rushed up and drew her number. Oddly seemed like the paper flew into her hand. She walked away and glanced at the smallest of her friends with suspicious eyes. The small-scale fighter quickly looks away and whistles. Well, if he's only using his powers to make sure none of them square off during preliminaries and not cheating and other way, she'd be ok with it.

Chi-Chi trotted over to Goku before she could reach the boys. "So, Goku, which one of those hunks are your boyfriend? They are so handsome. I bet it's that Krillin. Those Buddhists brands are so intriguing!"

"No, Chi-Chi. None of them are my boyfriend. I'm just focusing on the tournament for the moment."