IMPORTANT NOTE: This is technically an AU. I've changed the plots around only slightly: Chiaotzu has died twice, once to King Piccolo and again to exploding, but Tien's killed Nappa with his one-armed tri-beam and has lived in the process. I just want to make that clear for the sake of the story. It will all be cleared up in future chapters.

As for why I did it: Really, it was to make way for my story. I couldn't continue with Tien just failing to kill Nappa and dying so he could see Chiaotzu again and all was fine and dandy. It's not incredibly unbelievable, either, that Tien would kill Nappa. After all, according to Vegeta, he just barely saw it coming.

Chapter 2

Preoccupation

Perhaps there was so much silence because Tien hadn't said anything else to Chiaotzu just for the hell of saying it. Chiaotzu never did, unless it was a matter of concern or question.

But Tien usually did. In fact, he was often in a very pensive mood. It had been a month since Chiaotzu's second death.

Tien always found his mind turning to that. When it did, he tried to distract himself. Of course, he never wanted to relive the moment. It was depressing and slowly killing him inside, but he could not help to feel worried about Chiaotzu.

He completely blamed himself. He had failed to protect him. He tried to die after to join his friend, but life doomed him. The separation extended to two months. How Tien managed those two months was beyond him. He was tortured by the loneliness and guilt until news came around that Bulma and Gohan had found the dragon balls again to revive the fallen, Chiaotzu included.

It is what has been internally killing Tien for a month now. He had the fear of his friend dying - a sense of paranoia and longing to keep Chiaotzu safe no matter the cost. It was all stored up in him, and he could not let it out.

Tien?

In his own head, Tien suddenly heard Chiaotzu's whispering voice call him.

He looked at his brother in confusion. "Chiaotzu? Why didn't you just…"

"I tried. It wasn't working."

Indeed, Chiaotzu had tried to verbally call Tien five times before he resorted to telepathically communicating with him. Yes, they were both telepathic, but it was rare they use their powers in such proximity. He must have not have noticed the sound of his voice. Deep down, Chiaotzu knew that something was wrong with his friend. It was probably because of their separation, but he couldn't be sure. He didn't bring it up.

It wasn't the first time it had happened since Chiaotzu's revival. Tien said, "Sorry" and waited for Chiaotzu's original question.

"Do you think what that boy said is right? About them coming to our planet to kill us all?"

"Yeah. He's from the future. He would know."

"But do you think they will kill us?" His face showed worry, the thin mouth curved in a slight frown.

Tien could hear the fear in Chiaotzu's voice. More wind seemed to blow the longer he waited to answer.

"We're lucky he told us about it. Now we have three years, so we might just make it."

"Tien...I'm scared." Now Chiaotzu's voice seemed to be lacking in strength.

"You don't have to be, Chiaotzu. I'm here for you, and I'll protect you."

And with that, Tien flinched, although it was barely visible. He always cringed when he said something of that nature. Of course, he'd do anything to protect Chiaotzu. He would, in a split-second, sacrifice himself, and he really, really knew Chiaotzu would do the same. But Tien didn't want it to come to that. That would mean they would be separated again, and without Chiaotzu, Tien was nothing.

Chiaotzu sighed. His voice grew with some reassurance. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Me neither. I've been through it before."

Now Chiaotzu flinched. He knew what Tien was referring to. For a while, he contemplated asking Tien about how he felt after he died, but being himself, who wasn't very inquisitive, as well as not wanting to make Tien share what happened, he swerved away from his curiosity.

More silence filled the air, and more wind seemed to blow again. After a while he spoke once more.

"Aren't you worried at all?"

"No." It did not take a very short time for Tien to answer. He knew what Chiaotzu was talking about, worry about being killed in three years. But he had the almost insatiable urge to break down and pour out how worried he was about him in general.

"You shouldn't worry when we're together," the man said.

There was no tension at all between Chiaotzu and Tien. If either of them really wanted to share anything, they wouldn't hesitate. But neither of them wanted to, probably just because of mood. Or maybe one just thought the other already knew and didn't need to be told again.

Chiaotzu desperately wanted to change the subject, so he resorted to what children do.

"Are we almost there?"

"Yeah. We've been walking for a good while now. Are you alright?"

"Mhm." Chiaotzu was smiling now. Away from that stressful topic and with his other half.