Three more days have passed and Tien let out a sigh as he finally watched as after breakfast that morning Nyoko leaves for home. He knew that Risa liked having her their, and after the first couple of days she stopped being as rude to him. But he was glad that things could get back to normal.

"Tien."

"Yes Chiaotsu?"

Floating around to look him in the eye Chiaotsu smiled. "We are staying till that feeling goes away right?"

"That's right."

"What if it takes a whole year before it goes away?"

Blinking as he cocked his head to the side Tien was just a little confused. "What are you getting at?"

"What if it takes a whole year to go away? Are we going to stay here that long?"

"That's right. What is with the sudden surge of questions?"

Shaking his head no Chiaotsu smiled. "Just asking. What are you going to train in today Tien?"

"I was thinking about doing some more speed training." Then he looked down and blinked when he saw that Chiaotsu didn't have a look of disappointment on his face. "That alright?"

"Of course! I was going to ask if you were doing speed training again. I am going to go in and help Risa around the house so I don't get bored."

Smiling as well as they both turned to see Risa walking out of the house and headed toward the now much larger garden. "I think that is a good idea. I will stick close by so I can feel you okay. If anything happens just spike your powers and I will be right here."

"Right!"

Tien laughed as he watched as Chiaotsu flew down to Risa with a big smile. Her smile as she nodded then hugged Chiaotsu once again made his own heart stop. He was so deeply in love with her that he couldn't stand it. But didn't know if he should tell her or not. Nor did he know if he was ready to settle down with a family. 'Time will tell.'

X

Risa smiled as she and Chiaotsu worked on planting more and more stuff in the garden. With Chiaotsu's help she was able to triple the garden and the food growing in it. Which with it still being early spring if they were going to be there in the fall and winter, she would need to fill the pantry more than with what she has day to day. "There I think that might last us through the winter."

With a laugh Chiaotsu nodded. "This will feed the three of us through the winter. But our friend Goku could eat everything in the house at one time."

"Goku? Isn't that who Tien is trying to get stronger than?"

His smile still on his face Chiaotsu looked up at her and nodded. "That's right. Before we became friends with Goku our master had Tien and I doing things that we shouldn't have. But when we became friends with Goku he showed us how to be good again. Tien lost to him, and Goku is still just a little kid right now. So Tien has vowed to surpass Goku so that he can keep up with him."

"I see." With a smile and her one basket as Chiaotsu carried four heavy ones as he floated along next to her. "Well that makes sense. After all friends and rivals are supposed to do that with each other. Always trying to stay as strong or stronger than the other one."

"Yep!"

As they entered the kitchen Risa giggled. "So this Goku is that small huh and could eat me out of house and home?"

Nodding Chiaotsu sat the baskets on the table. "He could. We watched him eat backstage at the last tournament where he ate so much they had to tell him that they didn't have any food. And he said he was still hungry."

Blinking as she looked over at him Risa was just a little shocked. "Really?"

"Yep. He is a strange one but he is a good friend now too."

Going back to work preserving the vegetables Risa smiled. "I am sure that Tien can do it. Without a doubt."

Smiling as he watched her work with a smile after talking about Tien Chiaotsu couldn't help but find himself smiling to himself. It would be so perfect living there with her and Tien. He knew how they felt about each other but both seemed determined to way for the other. 'I know! I will help them along a little.'

"Oh my gosh!"

Jerking his head up Tien looked at a startled Risa as she looked at the calendar. "What is it Risa?"

"I didn't realize what day it is. Starting today, for the next week there is a bean plant that grows not too far from the house. I use them mostly during the winter cause one or two of them give me the instant sensation that I am full. It is almost like I can taste a full meal even desert when I eat them."

Blinking Chiaotsu gasped. "That almost sounds like a sensu bean."

"I don't know what they are called but I want to go and get some. Come with me?"

"Of course!"

Risa nodded then turned to walk for the door when she ran right into Tien's chest and stumbled backwards. Looking up into his midnight eyes as she felt on of his arms steady her by going around her waist and pulling her to him she felt the heat of a blush. "I am sorry Tien."

Tien was in no hurry to let her go so he held on for a moment then smiled as he let go of her waist. "That is alright. I heard something about sensu beans?"

Looking up at him Chiaotsu nodded. "She said there is a bean that is in bloom this week that does the same thing a sensu bean does."

Turning back to Risa Tien blinked. "How many are on the bush?"

Putting a hand on her hip as she used the other one to tap her chin Risa looked up. "Well the bush is huge. I usually only pick a couple hundred cause two a day in the winter do me good when my actual food runs out. But with the two of you with me I will have to pick more."

"So there are more than three or four hundred on it?"

"That's right. The bush is huge too, nearly as big as my house."

Crossing his arms Tien smiled. "I think I will go on this trip with you and Chiaotsu. If that is what we think it is, we are going to pick every last one and just store up most of them."

"Huh?"

Giggling as he floated up to be eye level with Risa Chiaotsu drew her attention to him. "If it is a sensu bean, you could break every bone in your body, eat one of them and not only will you feel full instantly, but your energy will be back, and your bones will heal in a snap too."

With wide eyes Risa looked down at her basket and sighed. "Well this isn't going to be big enough. But…" Then she sat the basket down and opened the closet pulling out three sacks that were as tall as they were. "We could use these. Go back every day this week and fill them. Still might not get them all." Then she cocked her head to the side as she once again looked Tien in the eyes. "How are you going to test it?"

"You sure you wanna know?"

"Yeah."

Tien then sighed. "I am going to break my own hand and see if it heals it."

Gasping as her hand went to her throat Risa paled. "But what if it isn't what you think it is?"

"Then you will go with us and we will make a quick trip to Corin and get one of his." He then laughed as he took the sacks and lifted her into his arms. "Don't worry about it. Point the way." Then he flew from the window.

Just like the first time Risa let out a startled scream as he flew through her kitchen window. "It is that way." But she smiled as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Any excuse to hug him or be close to him was good for her. Even if it meant being scared to death as he flew through the sky faster than she knew anyone could go. 'At least I am near him.'