A/N: Ah, hey. I've been a fan of dragon ball and dragon ball z for a long time now and I've never tried my hand at writing fanfiction for the fandom. I absolutely love the franchise but there was always a part of it that irked me and that was how the humans became useless as the fights progressed to cosmic levels. If you didn't have a monkey tail, you dead. I've always loved Kuririn as a character. He's been there since dragon ball and has always stood by Goku's side no matter what, even when he stopped fighting after the Cell Games (marrying 18, growing out his hair and all). I feel that the series has never done Kuririn justice and has never exactly showcased how powerful for a human he is.

This is why in The Sun Will Rise Again, I'm taking Kuririn back in time with all his powers to the start of dragon ball where everything was done at a human level. Realise that Kuririn has been sick for 10 years. He will be significantly weaker than canon. This is done so he won't be completely annihilating everybody. However he will regain his strength as the story progresses...

Enjoy~

Water and sea foam lazily lapped at the shore of Kame Island. In a seemingly endless loop, wave after wave splashed upon the sand, leaving trinkets of shells, and small stones. Said loop went on uninterrupted until a pair of sandals landed gently on the sandbank. The stylish footwear belonged to none other than Marron, unusually stone-faced. Her long blonde hair gently danced to the wind until it violently flew upward, courtesy of a powerful descend.

Marron didn't turn as she addressed the newcomer, "Pan."

Son Pan, dressed in her grandfather's orange gi (resized to fit her petite frame), stepped up to Marron and gave her a sidelong glance. "How many years has it been since then?"

"I try not to think about it" was the only answer the quarter-saiyan received. She frowned sadly. Her blonde friend had changed so much. Marron's outward appearance was very much the same as it had been since she hit puberty: glossy blonde locks, striking onyx orbs and a face that screamed icy coldness; a perfect combination of her parents 18 and Kuririn. But Pan knew better than to only look at what was right in front of her. She might not look it, but Marron had changed. A lot. Though her face was trained to twin 18's frosty expression, once upon a time she had laughed and smiled like any other normal girl. Pan had not seen her eyes twinkle or the corners of her mouth twitch upward for nearly a decade.

"His chi is fading," Marron said softly. "He's trying to hold on. But he can't."

The young woman wasn't looking for an answer so Pan did not deign to give her one. Instead, she focused on what she had said as a greeting, feeling increasingly guilty. The two girls were by no means friends but it did not excuse the young saiyan for her insensitivity. But how many years had it been? How many years had it been since the Kuririn took himself to that fateful doctor's appointment only to be told he would have less than a year to live? It was a surprise, to say the least, for he had been in excellent health. He was 47 when the doctor diagnosed him. He had been told less than a year. But it seemed like he had disagreed. It had been ten. Ten long, agonizing years spent bedridden in the Kame House with only Turtle and Kame-Sen'nin for company. 18 was abroad. Had been since Kuririn was told that he would succumb to the illness that attacked his insides within a year. For the first three years, Kuririn wouldn't stop asking for his wife. He stopped asking in the next seven. It was like he knew better. The thought made Pan's stomach churn and her heart twist in sorrow. But all the same, she could hardly fault the blonde android. They were same in the regard that they lacked the courage to say goodbye.

"Piccolo's coming," Pan said in a lame attempt to change the subject. "He's not too far away now. Grandpa, Vegeta and the others too. And Bulma said she would be coming with Chi Chi in her jetcopter."

"Stop it Pan."

Pan stopped.

Piccolo landed, followed closely by the rest of the Z Senshi. The last to arrive were the non-flyers: Bulma, Chi Chi and Oolong.

"He hangin' on alright?" Bulma ventured cautiously, her blue eyes somber.

"Enough," was Marron's gruff reply. "He's alive anyway."

Goku gently shouldered his way through the crowd. "Let's go in," he suggested. "And say... a proper goodbye." Even the normally carefree Son Goku could not find anything to laugh about this day. There was a 'hmph' from Vegeta and a grave nod from Piccolo as the Z Senshi made their way inside Kame House.

Vegeta muttered something about the house being an abomination as he stepped inside.

"Where are Trunks, Goten and Bra?" Marron inquired coolly. Not that I could care less.

"Trunks is at a board meeting, Goten flew Paris to Italy for their date and Bra went out shopping with one of her girlfriends," supplied Yamcha. "They'll be here soon enough."

"And the dragon balls?"

"Dende has them," rumbled Piccolo. "We have a telepathic link set up. When Kuririn requests it, Dende shall summon the dragon."

"Good. He... he deserves a last wish."

As everyone waited for the stragglers to arrive, Kame Sen'nin, out of politeness, offered them tea and biscuits. No one, not even Goku and Vegeta, touched them. Goku, for once, simply wasn't hungry and Vegeta was determined not to be outdone in anyway by his rival.

Goku slumped against the couch, the cushion sinking within itself underneath his weight. "I didn't think he'd be going so soon," said Goku. "Always that that I'd be there to meet him. 'Course if he were killed in some way we could bring 'im back..."

"But this is a natural death," finished Kame Sen'nin, his brows furrowing against the rim of his sunglasses.

The Briefs siblings and Goten arrived just as Oolong came down the stairs, saying, "I just checked on the guy, he's awake and askin' for all of ya."

Everyone filed into Kuririn's room, one by one as to not clog up the door frame.

The bald monk grinned weakly at everyone. "Hey." Though the short fighter had grown out his hair since Cell, the disease he had had caused it all to fall off.

Goku grinned back. "Hey."

A small sniff sounded. Bulma.

Marron looked on coldly at the interaction between Goku and Kuririn.

"Thanks for coming," said Kuririn.

"Are you kidding? I wouldn't miss this for the world."

"Yeesh, don't say it like that Goku or it really will be the end of the world," was Yamcha's lame attempt at lightening the mood.

Kuririn closed his eyes. "It's too bad, really. I would have continued to fight along you guys... even if I know that I'm not exactly the strongest."

"You're strong for a human," Goku said earnestly. "The strongest human alive actually."

"Not strong enough. You guys have always outshined me... especially you Goku." The words were so bitter that everyone startled, save for the uncaring Vegeta and neutral Piccolo. Even Marron wasn't immune to her father's harsh words. She blinked, puzzled, before steeling herself again.

"That's 'cause I'm a saiyan - you know that Kuririn. I bet if I were human you'd be stronger than me." His face softened. "Don't think about much stronger I am. It's not strength that makes the man - or the saiyan."

Vegeta looked as if he begged to differ but remained silent.

You don't get it, Goku, Kuririn thought, frowning slightly as he did so. You're always the hero. Always the strong one. You've always been the best and come out on top, even when your opponent starts on so much stronger. You always save our butts... and what am I? The sidekick? No wait, I think I was replaced by Vegeta a long time ago since I settled with 18. What am I to you Goku? Best friend yes - but is that all? I've never minded much... I've always been happy with who I am. The sidekick. The ally. The best friend. Hmm. What about the hero? It'd be nice to play hero for once.

While these thoughts transpired, Goku was going on and on about their friendship and the adventures they had in the good old days. His words were genuine and heart felt, but it was obvious to the Z Senshi that Kuririn was hearing none of it. Even when Kame Sen'nin took over and did the same for his old disciple. He gravely spoke of how it pained him to outlive his own student.

Kuririn's chi fluctuated before flickering - slowly dying.

Piccolo sent a message to Dende, signalling him for the summoning of Shenlong. On cue, the sky went dark as if it were night, and on the lookout, Dende stared upward at the mighty serpentine dragon.

This is it, Marron told herself. Time to say goodbye to dear old dad. I wonder what he'll wish for. To see mom again? Doubt it. She bit her lip. But I don't want to say goodbye.

"Kuririn," said Bulma, stepping forward. "The dragon's ready." A single tear slipped down her cheek as she smiled sadly. "Make a wish."

Goku clasped one calloused hand on Kuririn's shoulder. "See you in the afterlife!" he said as cheerfully as he could with a smile that did not quite reach his eyes. Death was something flippantly tossed around among the fighters - after all if you died you could be revived again. But the exception was death by a natural cause. There would be no turning back for this. Kuririn would remain dead forever. The Z Senshi would never see him again until they too passed on.

"I wish," Kuririn started before pausing. I wish. I wish. What should I wish for? He debated wishing for greater strength, but knew that the wish would be useless since he would be dead before long. That and his pride as a martial artist wouldn't allow such a wish to be bestowed. I wish I had lived a better life. I wish to die in peace. I wish that I wasn't so weak. I wish that I had won at least one Tenkaichi Budokai tournament. I wish Freeza hadn't killed me on Namek. I wish I could see my daughter smile again. I wish, I wish, I wish...

Kuririn flicked his gaze over to Piccolo and the Namekian nodded before setting up a mental link to the dying warrior. What's on your mind?

I think I know what I want to wish for.

Shoot. Just be sure the dragon's going to be able to grant it.

I wanted to wish to see Marron be happy again... but I have one wish. And I think it's time for me to be selfish for once.

Piccolo shifted slightly, ready to rally a message to Dende.

I wish that I could have been a hero.

Up on the Lookout, Dende repeated the wish to Shenlong, not ashamed that he choked on a few syllables as a result of his grief. Not too far away, Mr Popo was openly weeping, albeit silently.

The words circled around Dende's mind. I wish that I could have been a hero. I wish that I could have been a hero. The young Namek grimaced. Oh Kuririn. Don't you know that you're already a hero? A hero to so many people, including Goku?

Shenlong's eyes gleamed brightly before he spoke, "Your wish has been granted."

"Thank you," said Dende. "We have no need for the other wish as of yet."

"Fare you well." In a burst of light, Shenlong vanished and the dragon balls shot off into the sky as circles of stone.

In Kame House, everyone was solemn as Kuririn's chi was reduced to a small speck already on the verge of disappearing forever.

Marron grabbed her father's hand and squeezed. He squeezed back weakly. "Don't forget me dad. Mom too."

"I could never forget you two - even if I tried."

That was as much of a goodbye Marron would give and Kuririn knew that. And he was okay with it. He only hoped that things would get better for her soon. She deserved it. She needed it.

As Kuririn closed his eyes, ready for his final return to the Otherworld, his body disappeared with a hiss.

"Kuririn!" Goku exclaimed. "Where did he go? He wasn't dead yet, King Yemma couldn't have taken him! And what about his wish?"

Without waiting for an answer, he dematerialized into light.

"Gah!" hollered King Kai as Goku appeared right in front of him. His surprised quickly turned into irritation. "Goku! How many times have I told you not to do that?! And get off my plants!"

With a sheepish chuckle, Goku stepped away from said plants rubbing the back of his head nervously. "Sorry about that King Kai, but this is kind of important."

"Important?! What, is the earth in trouble again?"

"Well, not exactly - "

"Then what could possibly be more important that you have to barge in here to squish my prized petunias?!"

"They're very nice," Goku offered lamely. "Look, King Kai, did you see what happened on earth?"

"Goku, I'm in charge of a vast quadrant of the universe, I can't always be watching earth. I'm a busy man."

"You were watering flowers."

"I'm quite the gardener," retorted King Kai, even more irked than before. "Anyway, what's up?"

Goku quickly explained the situation to the Kai, who nodded slowly. "You said the dragon was summoned right?"

"Uh huh."

"And he didn't make a wish?"

"Yep."

King Kai tapped his chin. "Welp, I don't know if I can help with the wish thing, but you said Kuririn wasn't dead when he disappeared so it means some force other than King Yemma took him away. You should probably ask Piccolo and Dende, they would know more than me."

"Oh, okay. Thanks King Kai!"

"Wait, Goku, about reviving me - "

Goku was gone.

"Oh forget it..."

It turned out that Piccolo and Dende did know more about the situation than King Kai. After gathering everyone to the Lookout, Dende informed them about Kuririn's wish.

"We have to wish him back or something!" cried Goku. "Who knows what happened to him if he's not in the Otherworld?"

"He was right on the verge of dying, Kakarot," growled Vegeta. "Which means wherever he he was sent to doesn't matter. He's already dead."

"There's a small chance that he may not be," Bulma said thoughtfully. "But it's highly doubtful..."

"Spit it out, woman."

Bulma twitched, irked, before saying, "Kuririn's wish was that he could have been a hero, right? It's past tense, and you know how the dragon can be particular with words. Frankly, I think it's not a case of where he was sent to, but when."

"It makes sense," said Dende. "And it's the only explanation we have at the moment."

"We have to wish him back," Goku reiterated.

"No."

Everyone turned to Piccolo.

"There was no mistake," he said. "Chances are, Kuririn meant for this to happen."

"What do you mean meant for this?!" shouted Marron, joining in. "Why would my dad wish to be whisked off to a different timeline?"

"Think about it. Think about his wish. He wished he could have been a hero. Think about why he wished for it."

"He felt neglected," Bulma said quietly. "Oh, Kami, why didn't we see it before?"

"That just proves the point," Piccolo said. "Nobody ever bothered to take much notice of his... personal feelings." He turned to Goku. "Son, you've always played hero. I mean, come on, can you blame Kuririn?"

"Kuririn wanted this," Dende added. "It's obvious now. I don't think we should disturb him. We must respect his wish."

Everyone left the Lookout more solemn than ever that day.

Pan flew as fast as she could after Marron. "Hey! Marron! Wait up!"

Marron showed no indication of slowing down for the younger girl.

With a frustrated grunt, Pan pushed herself to fly even faster. Marron had never been the one to train, how was she so goddamned fast?

Finally, Pan caught up to her and grabbed her shoulder, forcing the girl to turn around. "Marron - " She stopped and was unable to prevent herself from staring at the blonde woman. Two wet twin trails streaked her face. "Uh, Marron..."

"Go," Marron said coldly. "There's nothing you can do for me."

"There must be something. Come on - "

"Shut it. I'm not about to repeat myself. It's not like we're friends anyway."

"But we were! 10 years ago we were!"

"Stop living in the past Pan." And with that, she flew away, not wanting to waste anymore words on the young Son.

"Living in the past my ass," Pan snorted before making up her mind. "If she wants living in the past, she'll get it." The girl smirked deviously. Where did Bulma put her time machine again? Let's see. Being a hero, hmm? All this started when Kuririn was 13. Which means I'll be going back to... Age 749!

Marron would never know what hit her when she brought Kuririn back. She wanted to respect Kuririn's wishes but right now Marron's grievance was more important. I'm coming for you Kuririn! And I'm going to bring you home.

A/N: Pan has a plan it seems...