Three days until the end of the world.

Chiyo watched the farms and hills roll by. It was almost midday, and the sky was a brilliant blue. The wind that buffeted her in cold gusts negated the sun's warming effect, however, and she found herself wishing she'd brought a jacket.

It was hard to believe the Cell Game was only three days away. Chiyo tried her hardest not to think about it. Ever since she and Goku had returned from gathering the Dragon Balls, Goku had insisted she relax and have fun. But Chiyo wasn't used to being idle, and after half a day of bouncing off the walls, Chi-Chi had banished her energetic daughter from the house. Goku had suggested she pay a visit to Kuririn. With Cell still waiting at his arena, Chiyo had less risk of running into trouble, and she knew the way well enough.

Land flashed by and then there was nothing but sparkling blue sea. Chiyo dived until she was just above the water and trailed her hand through the foam, squealing with laughter as water splashed everywhere.

Kame House appeared on the horizon, looking as serene as ever. It had remained untouched by the events of the past week - unless you counted the recently repaired door. Chiyo blushed as she remembered the scolding Mom had given her for breaking it - in front of everyone, even Master Muten. Had it only been two days before? It was over a year in the Room of Spirit and Time. It was still difficult to remind herself that was a different dimension; she keenly remembered the months going by in that place.

It was weird to come out of the Room to realize nothing had changed except for her.

Chiyo landed on the sand and bounded over to the door. She tapped it as gently as possible. "Hello?"

She could hear the sound of a TV on low volume, and the murmur of voices. The conversation stopped when she knocked. There was a scuffle and the door opened with a dark head poking around it. "Chiyo? What's up?"

"Hello, Yamcha," Chiyo said shyly. "May I come in?"

"Yeah, of course. Come right in."

Inside, the TV was showing pictures of what looked like a junkyard. Kuririn, Kamesen'nin, Oolong and Puar sat at the low table talking amongst themselves.

"Look who's here," Yamcha said.

"Chiyo!" Kuririn said, and got up. "What are you doin' here?"

"Just came to say hi," Chiyo said cheerfully. "Mom said she won't let me back in the house til I get rid of my jumpin' beans."

"She'll be waitin' a while," Kuririn laughed, and nudged her. "Hey, weren't you shorter a week ago? I could've sworn I could see over the top of your head."

"Yeah but remember me and Piccolo spent a whole year in that Spirit Room place!"

"The Room of Spirit and Time," Master Muten said, after Yamcha, Oolong and Puar exchanged puzzled looks.

"Right," Chiyo said, and began to take off her shoes. "It's a weird room where you can spend a year training, but when you get out it's only been a day."

"It's like another dimension," Kuririn explained, as the others looked even more confused. "Time passes differently in the room. In twenty four hours, a year passes by inside the room. Goku and the others went to spend a day inside, but when they came out they had gained a year's worth of training."

"That's right," Chiyo interjected eagerly. "Mr. Popo said only two people could go in each time, so I went in with Piccolo!"

Yamcha made a face. "Piccolo? And your dad let you go in with him?"

"Naw, he's not so bad," she said with a little smile. "'Sides, Papa said it was important I train hard as I can for the Cell Game."

"Why?" Oolong demanded. "'S he got some kinda plan?"

Chiyo seemed to pause; it could have been hesitation, or the sight of Yamcha, Kuririn, Master Muten, Puar and Oolong staring at her intently.

"We-e-ll," she said. "I dunno if Papa has a plan."

"Then why's he actin' so cheerful?" Kuririn said impatiently.

Chiyo looked puzzled. "Papa's always cheerful."

"He must've said something," Master Muten muttered. "Goku's a smart boy. He wouldn't go into a fight without a plan."

"Maybe. Or maybe he's just being fatalistic."

Oolong snorted in disgust. "Maybe he's gone crazy."

Chiyo looked distinctly uncomfortable as her father's friends all looked at her, waiting expectantly for an answer; an explanation, or anything. She didn't know what to say. Goku hadn't imparted any special knowledge on her, even when she expressed her worries. His only answer was to tell her to try not to worry because she 'didn't need to', which was about as useful as telling her 'try not to breathe'.

"Hasn't Papa always done what's best for everyone?" she asked hesitantly. "Don't you trust him?"

The others fell silent and gave each other glances that confused her - were they angry? Sad? Chiyo fidgeted on the spot; finally unable to contain herself, she blurted, "I'm sure everything will be okay."

"Yeah," Kuririn said, but he didn't look convinced, and she couldn't blame him - she'd felt the same way when her father said the same thing.