Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ.

"Telepathy"

"Talking"

"Thoughts"

Life of a Saiyan Hybrid

Chapter 4

"Please, mom." Gohan begged. He was already on his knees and had his hands clasped in front of him as he begged. "Dad and everyone else gets to enter it."

Chi Chi looked sternly down at her son with crossed arms. "Not only did you sneak out to go to Bulma's when you should have been studying, you and Vegeta disrupted the city and put all those people into a huge scare over two gold fighters trying to kill each other, and then after that, instead of coming home to continue studying, you went to visit Krillin and the others and didn't come home until well after your curfew, and now you expect me to allow you to enter a tournament?"

"But…but…" Gohan looked over at his dad, who was sitting at the table with a grin. "It was dad who took me. I didn't know what was going on until it was too late! I was there before I could react!"

"Sheesh, Gohan, you make it sound like I kidnapped you." Goku teased. "I thought you said that stopped happening."

Gohan stuck his tongue out at his dad.

"Oh, so it was your father who made you fight Vegeta above a city and then go visit Krillin and the others?" Chi Chi asked, giving her son a stern look.

Gohan looked down at the ground. "No, it wasn't."

"I might have been able to look past visiting your friends since you hadn't seen them in a while, but returning way passed your curfew and the fight with Vegeta, I cannot look passed. Do you have any idea of how irresponsible it was to fight Vegeta above that city? Everyone is just starting to get over the terror that Cell caused and now you two have brought that fear back!" Chi Chi screeched. "If you father hadn't stepped in to stopped you two, do you know how much worse it would have gotten?"

Gohan winced and looked at his dad, who was now frowning. It wasn't like he meant to fight above the city, but it's not like they were using ki blasts. It was more of just melee, but they were dangerously close to the city so his dad did appear between them and forcefully made them stop before an accident could happen. He would never forget that disappointed look his dad sent him after he got them to stop fighting.

"I'm sorry, mom. It just got out of hand before I could get a grasp of it." Gohan replied.

"And breaking curfew?" Chi Chi asked.

"That was an accident, mom. I was meditating with Piccolo to help with my control of my powers and emotions and I lost track of time, honest. I didn't come home late to worry you on purpose." Gohan promised.

Chi Chi tapped her fingers on her arm as she stared down at her son. "Go to you room."

Gohan blinked. "What?"

"Go to your room. I need to talk to your father." Chi Chi said.

Gohan looked at his dad then at his mom as he nodded. He stood up and left the kitchen and went upstairs.

Once Goku heard his son's door close, he looked back at his wife. "Chi Chi?"

Chi Chi fell into one of the chairs and sighed. Then she glared at Goku. "He is turning into a delinquent and all because of your friends!"

"Gohan is not a delinquent." Goku said with a frown. "Look, I know what he did was wrong, Chi, but I'm sure he was just having fun. He is nine years old. He's been through a lot and has even saved the world a few times. That is a lot of pressure on a kid his age, but now that peace is back, he is dropping the serious attitude and acting his age. You can't say he is becoming a bad kid just because he wants to have a bit of fun."

"Fighting Vegeta over a city and scaring those people should not be considered fun!" Chi Chi growled.

"I know, I know." Goku told her calmly. "Bulma is handling it. She is going to cover for Vegeta and Gohan. It will be fine."

"And how many times can she do that?" Chi Chi asked.

"She's not going to have to do it more than once." Goku assured her. "I think we can look past him breaking curfew. That was an accident, Chi Chi."

Chi Chi nodded. Gohan had always been careful about his curfew. He could be let off with a warning for that. "But you don't think we should let go of his fight with Vegeta."

"Even if Vegeta did start the fight above the city, Gohan knows better and should have moved it to somewhere secluded." Goku told her.

Chi Chi nodded. "Well, fighting is your area so you should be the one to give him his punishment."

Goku sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He hated punishing Gohan. It always made him feel like the bad guy when he saw how sad his son got.

It was best to get it over with now instead of putting it off so Goku got up and headed up to his son's room. He knocked on the door and pushed it open to find his son lying on his stomach on his bed, hugging his pillow. Gohan glanced up at him when he came in and sat up.

"Dad, I'm really sorry! I didn't mean to fight over the city or come home late." Gohan said quickly.

Goku sighed and sat by his son on the bed. "Firstly, breaking curfew. Do you know why you have a curfew even though you are so strong that you can take care of yourself?"

"Because mom says so?"

"Because your mother worries. You are still her baby and the curfew is there so she can know you are safe. You may be strong, Gohan, but you're still a child and shouldn't be wondering around in the dark. Your mother wants you home in time so she knows nothing happened. Do you remember what happened with Dr. Kochin?" Goku asked.

"That mad scientist who took control of Piccolo and made him fight you!" Gohan said angrily as his hands curled more tightly around his pillow. "I'll never forget him."

"And I'll never forget what Piccolo told me after the situation was resolved." Goku said.

Gohan looked at him in confusion. "What did Piccolo tell you?"

"You left for three days to go on an adventure with Oolong. I didn't mind since I went on a lot of adventures as a kid, but your mother worries. I thought nothing of it at the time until Piccolo told me he saved you when you were being pummeled by a group of bio-men." Goku said, staring sternly at his son. "Why didn't you tell me that?"

Gohan bit his lip. "I'm sorry, dad. I didn't really think anything of it back then." He said softly, not mentioning the fact that Oolong told him not to mention what happened to anyone.

"It's because of situations like that. Your mother wants you home so she knows you're not being attacked. As do I." Goku added, brushing his son's hair back. "I know I let you go off on adventures without much fuss, but I do worry a lot, Gohan, and when you're not home on time, the first thing I do is look for your ki so I know you're okay. I keep track of your every move so I know not to worry."

Gohan nodded. "I'm sorry for worrying so much, dad. I'll be more careful about my curfew now."

"Thank you, son." Goku sighed. "Now about your fight with Vegeta."

The half-saiyan winced. "I know, daddy. I shouldn't have fought right above the city. Everyone has been terrorized enough by the androids and Cell."

"But you still did it." Goku sighed. "I know you are more responsible than that, Gohan, so why? Why didn't you move the fight away?"

Gohan looked down at his bed covers and played with a thread that was coming out of it. "It's just…we were so high above the city and I thought we were safe there as long as we didn't use any ki blasts." He shrugged. "I don't know. Vegeta isn't an enemy anymore so I didn't realize just how dangerous it was to fight there. If it had been an enemy, you know I would have moved to a secluded area immediately."

"I don't care if it is Krillin you're fighting. You never fight out in the open like that when using your powers unless it is a tournament, and even then, you have to be really careful." Goku said.

Gohan perked up. "Tournament? Does that mean I can still participate?"

Goku looked at his son sternly. "I didn't say that."

Deflating, Gohan nodded. "I'm in trouble?"

"For breaking curfew? No. For fighting above a city and scary people, yes." Goku replied.

Gohan sighed. "I understand."

"Good." Goku said. "Grounded for two weeks. No tv, no playing, no going off on your own. In fact, no leaving the house unless it is to train with me. I would put no training in your grounding, but I just got you restarted in it so I need you to continue it. I need to help you get control of super saiyan two, but you won't be training with Piccolo until your grounding is over."

"What?" Gohan cried. "Can I still visit him? And Krillin? And Yamcha? Tien and Chiaotzu? Bulma? Dende?"

"You forgot Vegeta."

Gohan wrinkled his nose.

Goku sighed. "No, Gohan, you can't visit them unless it's an emergency. And by emergency, I mean the Earth is under attack. Am I clear?"

"Yes." Gohan said downcast. "No fun at all."

"It's only for two weeks."

"That's like an eternity!" Gohan moaned as he fell over on his bed.

Goku chuckled. "You're being dramatic, Gohan."

Gohan looked up at him. "I am really sorry. It really wasn't my intention to scare them."

"I know, Gohan." Goku kissed his son's forehead. "And if you behave for the next two weeks, I'll talk your mom into letting you participate in the tournament."

"You will?" Gohan shot up and hugged his dad. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you so much!"

"Why are you so excited about this?" Goku asked amused.

"Because I never got to participate in a tournament before!" Gohan explained. "Those were what you trained for as a kid. I trained to save the planet. I want to train to participate in a tournament now!"

Goku looked at his son in surprise. Now he really was going to have to convince Chi Chi to let Gohan participate. It was a battle he could look forward to since it was a tournament with no killing. The tournament was Gohan's way of having fun with martial arts. After all he has done to protect the Earth and his friends, he deserved to have some fun.

"Now I think it's time for someone to go to bed." Goku said.

Gohan groaned. "Alright." He rolled off of his dad and hit the floor.

After Gohan had his teeth brushed and changed into his pjs, he came back into his room to find his dad still there and launched himself at him. He hugged him tightly before he felt himself shifting and then his dad was dropping him onto the bed.

Gohan grinned at his dad and crawled under his blanket. Goku tucked him in and patted his head. "First thing tomorrow before you study is a light spar, Gohan, so get lots of sleep."

"Yes sir." Gohan replied.

"Night, little man." Goku said as he turned the lights off. "See you in the morning." He closed the door behind him and sighed. His son's downcast face was still clearly seen in his mind. He could lecture Gohan and give him a punishment, but afterwards, the guilt was always still there. The lectures and punishments were needed when a child broke the rules or did something dangerous, but that never made it easy. He hated seeing his son sad.

Sighing again, Goku headed to the living room when he heard the tv on to see his wife sitting there. He sat next to her and put an arm around her shoulders. Chi Chi immediately leaned into him.

"Is Gohan in bed?" Chi Chi asked.

"Yep." Goku replied. "I grounded him for two weeks. He is only allowed to study and train with me, nothing else."

"At least he will be getting his exercise." Chi Chi said. "Did he take it well?"

Goku nodded. "He knows what he did was wrong. Though he is a bit upset he can't visit his friends."

"That is why it is called a grounding." Chi Chi replied.

Goku looked back at the tv, but wasn't really seeing what Chi Chi was watching. His mind was on the excited look on his son's face when he said he would talk to Chi Chi about letting him participate in the tournament. "You know, that tournament isn't for another month."

Chi Chi pulled away from Goku and turned to him with a frown. "What are you getting at, Goku?"

"His punishment will be long over before the tournament so why not let him participate in it?" Goku asked with a small smile. "You already said he could continue training."

"Yes, and then you went and dragged him away from his studies." Chi Chi said, glaring at her husband.

"But Chi Chi, it was Saturday. Doesn't he deserve a break on the weekend? Besides, Bulma wanted to give him his birthday gifts. I hope Gohan thanked everyone when he saw them." Goku said. He leaned down and kissed his wife. "Please, Chi? Gohan really wants to join it. He told me he wants to be able to train for a tournament, not to save the planet. That is why he wants to do this so badly. And it is a tournament. It is completely safe. I promise. And I'll be joining too, so I will keep an eye on him."

Chi Chi sighed. Her husband knew she could never deny him anything. She was sure that if Piccolo didn't kidnap Gohan and start training him in martial arts that Goku would have begged her to let him train him when he was a bit older than four. And when he did that, it would have been so hard to say no to him. She would yell and scream at him when he asked for stuff, particularly anything to do with training Gohan, but she always caved in the end and let him take their son to train.

"Alright, Goku. If he behaves and follows the rules for the next two weeks, he can go." Chi Chi said before smirking at her husband. "But one of you better win, got it?"

Goku grinned. "Thank you, Chi Chi." He kissed her one more time. "You really are the best."

Chi Chi knocked her fist against his arm. "And don't you forget it."

*The Next Day*

"Rise and shine! Rise and shine!" Goku said loudly as he pulled the covers off of his son. The groaning boy grabbed his pillow pushed it on top of his head. "Come on, Gohan. I said we were going to have a light spar this morning. It times to get up." He went over to the window and ripped the curtains open. "Just look at that. It is a wonderful morning!"

When his son still made no move to get out of bed, Goku sighed and walked back over to the bed. He put his hands on his hips and looked down at his son. "Do you really want to do this, Gohan?"

The only response he received was a quiet snore.

"Well, I tried." Goku said and mischievous grin appeared on his face. "Let it be known, you were warned."

Goku reached down and wrapped his hand around his son's small ankle and lifted him into the air. He came up with ease, taking his pillow with him as he continued to sleep.

"Still not going to wake up?" Goku asked his sleeping son. "You always were a stubborn one." He continued as he left the bedroom.

"Hey Chi Chi." Goku greeted as he walked into the kitchen. "I'm taking Gohan for a light spar before breakfast."

Chi Chi turned around with a smile. Her smile froze when she saw her husband holding her son by his ankle. "Goku, he's asleep."

"I know. He is being rather stubborn about waking up." Goku said. He looked down at his son. "Do you want to take his pillow?"

Chi Chi came over and grabbed the pillow and tried to take it away, but at the fear of losing his pillow, Gohan held onto it tighter.

"He must really like that pillow." Goku said.

"Well, he can't take it into a spar." Chi Chi said, eyes narrowed. "Gohan Son, you wake up this instant or you will not get breakfast this morning! Do you hear me?"

"I'M AWAKE! Don't take my breakfast!" Gohan shouted, twisting around frantically as he tried to figure out where he was. When he found himself hanging upside down and his parents staring at him with grins, he blinked. "This isn't my bedroom."

"No, son, I believe this is a room called the kitchen. One of the best places in a house." Goku replied.

Gohan blinked. "Oh, why am I here?"

"Because you need to wake up to have a light spar before breakfast." Goku said. "I told you this last night."

Gohan nodded. "Oh yeah."

"Good." Goku let go of Gohan's ankle and the boy fell to the ground, making Chi Chi start to shout at Goku but Gohan easily landed on his hand and flipped himself back onto his feet.

"Goku!" Chi Chi shouted while Gohan left to head to his room with his pillow.

"Aw, Chi Chi, it's fine. Gohan is a skilled martial artist." Goku's voice reached Gohan's ears as he climbed the stairs.

Gohan threw his pillow on his bed and grabbed the gi that Bulma gave him that was like his dad's. He quickly threw it on and ran back downstairs. "I'm ready, dad!"

Goku and Chi Chi turned to look at him.

Chi Chi gasped before smiling brightly. "Oh, you look just like your father!"

Gohan blushed while his dad grinned.

"Where did you get the gi?" Goku asked curiously.

"Bulma gave it to me." Gohan said as he tugged at his shirt.

"Well you look amazing, Gohan." Goku told him with a grin.

Gohan grinned up at his dad. This was the first time he decided to emulate his father's style. Usually he dressed like Piccolo since he was his first master, but Bulma was fight. His dad was also a master of his so he did want to honor what his dad taught him in the past few years, especially that day in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.

"Let's get to it." Goku said, putting his hand behind Gohan's head and pushing him forward towards the door.

"Breakfast is in half an hour and afterwards, he's studying, Goku." Chi Chi said.

"I know." Goku waved to her without turning around. "It's just going to be a light spar. No ki blasts or flying. Just melee. We'll be right out in the yard."

"We can't use ki blasts or fly?" Gohan asked.

"That's right." Goku replied as he turned to face his son. "Get ready."

Gohan fell into a fighting stance, but his dad didn't. Gohan blinked at this. "Dad?"

"No super saiyan either." Goku replied. "Let's see just how strong you are in your base form."

Gohan growled. His dad wasn't entering a stance at all. That was just a way to insult your opponent by saying that he was stronger and didn't need to enter a stance. But his dad knew his stance so he was just trying to goad him. Gohan knew that was what his dad was doing so he wasn't going to fall for it.

But that also didn't mean he was going to wait for his dad to make the first move so he lunged at his dad and their spar began.

"GOKU! GOHAN!"

Goku caught his son's fist and twisted his son's arm behind his back and forced him to his knees before looking up at Chi Chi as Gohan tried to pull his arm free. "Is it time for breakfast?" He asked excitedly.

Chi Chi frowned as she examined how her husband restrained Gohan, but nodded anyway. "Yes, go wash up and get to the table."

Gohan slammed his head backwards into Goku's stomach and escaped his hold. He scrambled to his feet and rubbed his shoulder. One thing about not going super saiyan two meant that he and his dad were on equal ground and with his dad's experience and skills, it was a good match for both of them.

*Kame House*

"In other news, yesterday two gold fighters appeared above West City sending the city into fear of another monster like Cell appearing."

A picture of two gold flashes appeared on screen.

"But it seems the city was scared for no reason at all. It seems the fight was a test being done by Capsule Corp. according to Bulma Briefs."

Krillin snickered. "Didn't we feel Gohan's and Vegeta's power skyrocket yesterday? Think it was them?"

"I can't imagine Gohan being reckless enough to fight over a city." Master Roshi replied before taking a sip of his tea.

Krillin frowned. "I agree, but there were definitely two people in that picture. And we only sensed those two powering up until Goku showed up to stop them." He smirked. "Think it had something to do with that video that Gohan showed us of Vegeta?"

"I can see Vegeta wanting to kill Gohan over that." Oolong said as he thought back to the peak-a-boo video that Gohan was showing them. It was definitely hilarious. Vegeta looked like he was going through torture during it.

"I've never known Gohan to be so daring to anger Vegeta like that." Krillin said with a frown. "Did he seem like he was acting strange yesterday?"

"It seemed like he was acting like a nine year old boy having fun." Master Roshi replied calmly. "You have to remember that, Krillin. He is still just nine and now that all the battles are over, the world is at peace once more. He is enjoying being a kid again."

Krillin sighed. "I guess with everything that has happened that I'm not used to that side of him."

"Hello? Krillin? Master Roshi? Anyone home?"

Krillin's head snapped around to look out the window. "Goku! What brings you here?" He jumped out of the window and grinned at his best friend. "Gohan came by yesterday, you know."

"Yeah, I know, sorry. I was calming Vegeta down while Gohan came over here." Goku rubbed the back of his head. "Not that it helped much. He still wants Gohan's blood."

Krillin looked passed Goku and looked around. "Gohan's not with you?"

"No, he's studying right now, and besides, he's grounded." Goku replied as he crossed his arms and frowned. "He's not going anywhere for two weeks."

Krillin fell over in shock. "G-grounded? Chi Chi actually grounded him?" He asked as he stood up.

"No, I did."

Krillin fell over again. Even Master Roshi fell out of his window in shock.

"Y-you did?!" Krillin and Master Roshi shouted.

Goku raised a brow. "Why is that surprising? I am his father."

"Yeah," Krillin said as he stood up. "It's just, you didn't seem the type to ground."

Goku frowned at Krillin. "Do you realize the scare he caused the people of West City yesterday with his reckless attitude about fighting Vegeta above the city?"

The bald martial artist chuckled. "That's not a normal thing to ground kids for. Then again, normal kids aren't half-saiyans or saviors of the Earth." He laughed. "The savior of the Earth and the most powerful kid in the universe grounded. It's actually a funny thought."

Goku tilted his head to the side. "You know, I am not getting what is so funny. Vegeta found it funny that Gohan had a bedtime."

Krillin chuckled. "Think about it, Goku. Gohan is probably the strongest person in the universe right now, but despite being so strong, he still has to listen to his parents because he is a kid. The strongest warrior out there being forced to bed at a certain times. You have to admit, it's kind of funny. Just think. You'll have to tell all the strong enemies coming to fight Gohan to come back in the morning because he has to go to bed." Krillin shook his head, still chuckling in amusement.

Goku stared at his friend for a moment, blinking as he processed what Krillin just said. All those enemies coming to fight Gohan. Fight Gohan. Gohan. It used to be him that all the enemies came for, but now his son was the strongest. If any enemies showed up, it would be because of his son. They would be coming to fight and kill his son. His precious son.

Master Roshi looked up in surprise when he felt Goku's ki spike. "Goku?"

Krillin stopped laughing and looked back at his friend. "What's wrong?"

"Gohan. They would be coming for Gohan because of how strong he is." Goku growled, hands clenched at his sides.

"He can take care of himself, Goku." Krillin said.

"But he's my son." Goku said. "What if there is still an even stronger enemy out there that takes him from me?"

"A stronger enemy than Gohan? It's hard to believe with how strong Gohan is." Krillin replied but he did frown. "But then again, none of us expected Cell's power so I guess a stronger enemy is possible."

Goku punched his fist into his hand. "I have to ascend and get even stronger. I can't leave Gohan to deal with problems if more arrive."

"I get you'll want to train more, Goku, but we're at peace right now. We should be happy about that and hope nothing more comes up." Master Roshi told him. "Now calm down. Your ki is spiking too much."

Sighing, Goku lowered his ki and nodded. "I know." He sat on the steps of the porch and ran a hand through his hair. "Sorry."

"Don't worry about it, Goku. Gohan is your son. I'd be more concerned if you never worried about his safety." Krillin replied.

Goku chuckled dryly. "Krillin, I worried about you all when you fought the saiyans and when you and Gohan and Bulma went to Namek, but as worried as I was about you, Gohan was the one that was constantly on my mind. Sure, I loved the fights and training I had to do. All that love of fighting is in my blood, but I was always worried about Gohan. You know I never saw him fight an enemy until Cell? I know he fought Vegeta, but I was so weak and injured at the time that I didn't really see it."

"Even though all the enemies were stronger than him, he was amazing in those fights and there were so many times he showed up just in time to save us." Krillin said.

Goku nodded. "I know he's done that. He did it a few times just with his hidden power like with Garlic Jr. and Raditz." He sighed. "He's been on so many battlefields since he's been four and I was never there to watch him and keep him safe." His hands clenched into fists. "Nappa, the Ginyu Force, Frieza. There were so many times I could have lost him because I wasn't there."

"But that's what made him strong, Goku. His dad wasn't there to protect him and he had to fight himself. Sure, he got beat up a lot, but he never stayed down for long. He would get back up, showing more courage and determination than adults have. I know you love him, but you not being on those battlefields might have been the best thing for him. I know it was wrong of us to throw a five year old into so many dangerous battles, but there were so many times he could have run away, Goku. He wanted to stay to fight and protect us. You saved him a lot, Goku. You always got there when he could no longer get up, but until that moment, he always did what he could until you were ready to fight." Krillin replied.

"Krillin's right. It was all great experience that he needed, Goku. They made him strong." Master Roshi replied. "Though I do agree about the age thing."

Goku chuckled darkly. "Sending a five year old to fight." He shook his head. "I think that is why I was so scared when I knew he was on those battlefields back then. Only five and already fighting enemies that would have destroyed us at that age. He is still a child and I'm afraid he'll be killed one day from an enemy that is too strong. I know we have the dragonballs to bring him back, but I don't want him to die at such a young age."

Krillin clapped his friend on the shoulder. "And he won't, Goku. He is strong enough to protect himself. And even if he can't, he's got all of us backing him up. We would never let your son die, Goku."

"You don't need to convince me." Goku replied. "I know what you guys did when Gohan was fighting against Cell in that Kamehameha battle. I never did thank you for that?"

"No thanks need." Krillin said with a smile.

Goku sighed. "Still," He looked up at the calm blue sky. "I won't let the same thing happened to my second child. I will protect him better."

"Oh, that's right. I heard Chi Chi was pregnant." Krillin said. "Going to keep him off the battlefield?"

"Hopefully there won't be any more battles." Goku replied. "But if there are, I don't want to subject another one of my children to them until he or she is old enough."

Krillin nodded. "That is probably a good idea. So why did you really come here?" He sat down by his friend. "I'm sure it wasn't because you needed to talk about your son and your feelings of failure at protecting him, which by the way, I still don't think you failed in."

Goku laughed. "No, it's just been a while and I was wondering if you wanted to spar."

"Can't say I am feeling up to being demolished by you." Krillin replied. "Don't you usually spar with Vegeta?"

"Yeah, but when I do that, we go all out for so long and are so tired by the end. I need my wits about me today since I'm going to start helping Gohan master super saiyan two later." Goku explained. "Besides, the GR is still broken."

Krillin laughed. "You guys finally broke it? I was betting you would break it within the first day of your sparring together."

Goku shrugged. "But come on, Krillin. The sparring will help you for when we go to the Intergalactic tournament."

"Oh yeah." Krillin said with a grin. "Think it will be like the old days?"

"Maybe. Even Vegeta is entering! Can you believe that?" Goku asked. "It should be fun. The design will be different since it isn't a world tournament, but that will make it all the more interesting."

"How did Bulma get Vegeta agree to enter?" Krillin asked.

Goku shrugged. "No idea."

"Is Gohan entering?" Oolong asked as he leaned on the window seal from the inside the house.

"If he behaves and doesn't break any more rules during his grounding, then yeah." Goku replied.

Krillin snickered. "Still hilarious."

"You are getting too much amusement out of Gohan's misery." Goku said, shaking his head in amusement. "So how about that training?"

Krillin sighed and stood up, stretching his arms. "Alright. Just no super saiyan. I want to live until I get married."

"Oh, that's right." Goku said excitedly. "How is that thing with Android 18? Gohan told me you used one of the wishes on the Namekian dragonballs to wish the bombs out of her and 17."

"W-well, that is…what are you talking about?!" Krillin stuttered, face completely red.

"Gohan said you had a crush on 18." Goku said.

"That little….!" Krillin cried angrily. "Why does he keep saying that?"

"So you don't like her?" Goku asked.

"Well, I…" Krillin blushed. "I thought we were sparring!"

"Alright!" Goku looked around. "Let's go over there for it." He pointed towards a patch of land across the ocean.

Krillin sighed in relief at how easily distracted Goku was.

*Lookout*

"Dende, do you know about the kais?" Piccolo asked.

Dende shook his head. "I think they are Gods?"

"There are five kais. They are the East Kai, West Kai, South Kai, and the North Kai. Above them is the Grand Kai who is their superior. Each of the four kais control a particular quadrant as evident by their names." Piccolo explained.

Dende nodded. "Earth is in the northern quadrant of the universe, right?"

Piccolo nodded. "Yes, so that makes North Kai the one in control of this quadrant. Actually, Goku, Yamcha, Tien, Chiaotzu, and myself have all met the North Kai and trained under him."

"Really?" Dende asked surprised. "How was it?"

Piccolo thought back to his time on King Kai's planet with a grimace. "It was…interesting." And by interesting, he meant he couldn't get off that planet fast enough. "Anyway, the guardian of a planet has a relationship with the kai in his quadrant. It is helpful since you will be able to report any problems to him and he can warn us of any problems that are approaching Earth. King Kai can contact us anywhere, but the signal is much stronger up here on the lookout. And now, I believe it is time for you to be acquainted with North Kai."

"Um, okay." Dende said, gripping his staff tightly. "How do I do that?"

"Have you ever spoken telepathically with anyone?" Piccolo asked.

Dende thought for a moment before cheering up and nodded. "Yes, Guru contacted me on Namek to tell me to make the last wish that everyone except Goku and Frieza be brought to Earth."

"Do you remember what it was like? It will be easier to get into contact with King Kai if you remember what it is like to have a telepathic communication."

"I do." Dende replied.

"Alright," Piccolo sat down in a meditating position. "You already made your first trip to the Otherworld. Do you remember what it was like that? How it felt?"

Dende nodded and followed Piccolo's lead to sit in a meditating position. "I do."

"Okay, North Kai is in the Otherworld. You can normally contact North Kai without entering a meditation state, but for your first time, this will make it easier." Piccolo explained. "Now, I want you to concentrate on sending your senses to the Otherworld and looking for North Kai. You remember being shown Snake Way?"

"Yes."

"You want to look for King Kai's energy at the end of it. Since he was revived and he asked for his planet back, that is where he should be." Piccolo replied. "He spoke to us when we used the dragonballs. You felt a faint energy signal from him when he did that."

Dende nodded. "Alright, I understand now, Piccolo. I will try to contact him." He closed his eyes and started meditating.

Piccolo smiled and closed his eyes to enter his own meditation state. He always did seem to get stuck training the kids. Sometimes he felt more like a babysitter. He cracked an eye open to look at Dende. Well, it wasn't too much of an issue. Sure training Gohan at first was annoying with all his whining, but it turned out great. And Dende was a smart kid and was catching on fast. He will turn out to be a great guardian.

But just because he was training Dende and helping Gohan with his training once more meant nothing! There was no way he was getting soft because of these kids.

A/N: Please Review!