Sorry about the long pause, work has been hectic & didn't have time over the Christmas & New Year period - thanks for the reviews meanwhile, mean a lot.

Enjoy.

The date was set, tonight was the night. The night that Seventeen had been plotting over for the past few days, a night he jokingly nicknamed "Operation Take Back My Sister From The Desperate Shrimp Or Die Trying" although, it didn't seem as much of a joke nowadays. Seventeen was at his wits ends, Eighteen hardly ever visited anymore - when he actually made the effort, tried to reach out to his sister she'd rebuff his attempts, saying she had plans with the shrimp. Or that it was the shrimp's birthday so she did not have time to come over and play "let's see who can take down more trees with a single ki-blast" - the sister he once knew and loved was drifting away and he'd be damned if he'd let her go without a fight. Seventeen without Eighteen was like fish without the chips, or Goku without the stupidity - it made no sense. She just needed to see that too, that's all. He needed to push her towards that truth, make her realise that life without him would be unbalanced - and if given the ultimatum, it's not like she'd honestly choose that pesky shrimp over him. He was her brother, they'd been through so much together. The very thought made him laugh, as if Eighteen would ever do that.

All that was needed was a plan to be in motion for tonights activities, it shouldn't be too hard to surely separate the two, right? He was borderline suicidal and she was a sociopath - actually, thinking it over Seventeen probably realised the two were perfect for each other. Grrrreat, this is going to be harder than first anticipated. There was always the other option - taking Krillin out of the equation. He doubt he could get away with that tonight though - could he? It would require a lot of scheming to take him out right under Eighteen's nose but if anyone could do it - it was Seventeen. The self-professed devious manipulator would be able to pull it off.

No matter what the cost.

Krillin was still trying to come up with an excuse to get out of dinner with Seventeen tonight, he was still trying to adjust to the idea of him and Eighteen - however happy it made him, it was difficult and he still bared the scars of the past - his "accidental" suicide, his masters and best friends death, abandonment. The one thing that kept him going was knowing Eighteen had been through that and could relate to him, that she was someone he could vent to when feeling low - she was there for him and he was there for her. After thinking that, the happiness would return and he'd berate himself for not giving her a chance.

And so, he stood infront of the mirror of his bedroom, holding up two very similar yet very different ties. Debating which one would impress his girlfriends brother the most. His girlfriends brother who is a murderous psycho and would sooner murder him in cold blood than shake his hand.

"Hey, I'm the guy doing your sister - it's nice we're doing this, this dinner- hey, what are you doing with that knife?"

"Seventeen, or should I say brother-in-law!"

"Why would you want to kill me Seventeen? I make your sister happy."

"I'm getting the hell out of here..."

Every scene he played in his mind about tonight ended bad - ended disastrously infact. But he would go along with it for Eighteen's sake, she really did want the two of them to get along. The truth is, Krillin knew she missed spending time for Seventeen but whenever he brought it off, she'd rubbish his claims. There's nowhere else I'd rather be than here with you. Maybe that's why tonight was so important to her, so the three of them could spend time together without leaving someone out. She was basically torn and if she wasn't so damn stubborn she'd have realised earlier and figured something out. But this was Eighteen - far from ordinary.

So after much deliberation, he stared at both of the ties before eventually throwing both to the ground.

"As if Seventeen will be impressed by a tie - the guy is a psycho. Just play it cool Krillin, you need to get this guy on your side for Eighteen's sake. Who cares if he bashed you around before? Just a few cuts and bruises...and broken ribs, he also broke my toe too - my favourite toe. What the Hell am I thinking? This is going to be a disaster, surely we don't need to have dinner to resolve our issues and get along...and why do we have to go to his? If my girlfriend wasn't tougher than me I'd-"

"You'd what?"

Krillin was cut off by a very monotone voice - one he knew too well. He turned to look at the stoic blonde woman leaning against the door-frame of his bedroom, raising an eyebrow questioningly. Well, it was about time she knew Krillin was obsessed with talking to himself.

"-I'd, err.. buy her clothes and chocolates and do whatever she wanted?"

Eighteen tutted, "You do that anyways. Anyways, what's the problem? Are you nervous?"

"Me? Nervous? Don't make me laugh...haha...hah...ha..."

"Krillin, I'll only say this once since I hate conversations like these - so listen up, alright? I'm about to give you some well-justified advice that you should take on board, especially with tonight coming. Are you ready, babe?"

"Yeah, what tips do you have? Anything could work!"

"Grow a pair."

For a minute, Krillin pulled a "Goku" and stared down at his trousers, at his crotch region before realizing what Eighteen was talking about. He blushed briefly and shook his head, flailing his hand at her dismissively.

"What do you me- oh, OH. I get it - yeah real funny, thanks for the oh-so brilliant advice babe. Look, I'll be fine it's just pre-jitters that's all."

"Relax, it's not like we're telling him I'm pregnant."

Krillin's eyes shot open, "Wh-wh-wh, you aren't though, right?! I swear I put the damn thing on right...you can't be pregnant, what are you even talking about?!"

Eighteen face palmed and walked over to Krillin, picking up both the ties from the floor, "No, I'm not pregnant you idiot - I can't even get pregnant so shut up. Just remember, Seventeen only has my best interests in mind so all we have to do is make him realise you're one of them now," She paused to press both the ties up Krillin, modelling them in the mirror, "Wear the blue one, he's a fan of ties. Make a good impression. Kami, why am I telling you this - you should already know Krillin! You're only trying to impress my BROTHER you moron!" Eighteen pushed the blue tie into Krillin's palm and walked off.

Krillin merely stared at the tie dumfounded, not because his girlfriend's mood seemed to change every 5 seconds...

"Wow, Seventeen is a tie person? Who knew.."

Seventeen set the finishing touches to the table - well, an eroding old wooden thing with barely 4 legs. It would do though, it's not like they'd be sitting at the table all night. Besides, much bigger things were about to happen. Seventeen took a seat on one of the stools and menacingly bopped back and forward, tapping two fingers together in thought. He had figured out a plan, a plan to lure Krillin to somewhere where it would be the two of them alone, they would finish this once and for all. He built up the scenario in his head, the battle for Eighteen he'd call it. Although it wouldn't be much of a battle, the little shrimp was a better fighter but still no match for Seventeen. He'd be sure to make it a quick death so Eighteen would suspect nothing of him - he wouldn't guarantee it would be painless though, that would take the fun out of it.

Seventeen stood from the stool and walked into his bedroom, grabbing an obviously stolen flashy radio player and a pre-recorded tape. He pushed the tape into the radio player and listened to his recording, smirking to himself. He then set the timer and flew out his cabin window with the radio player, deep into the forest.

He had found a small closing within the forest - a perfect spot to execute a dastardly plan, he set down the radio right in the middle of the patch of grass within the closing. The trees enveloping the area would make the echo of the radio loud enough for them to hear from his cabin and it was only a short fly away. Seventeen flinched suddenly as a bird passing by started tweeting, humming in approval of the gloriously sunny day. Seventeen took one look around the enticing surroundings and frowned. To him, it all looked doom and gloom, there was no sun and there was no beauty - it was just a chaotic mess. He turned back to the bird and fired a single ki-blast to it, killing it.

"Shut up," was all he said as he picked up the dead bird and headed back to his cabin.

Krillin and Eighteen eventually arrived to the small cabin, landing just outside the porch. Eighteen made her way up to the door whilst Krillin stood back, hesitating to take any further step forward.

Eighteen looked over her shoulder, "Would you come on? What's the hold up?"

"I'm just...it's nothing, I've just got a bad feeling about this is all."

"What's the bad feeling? Nothing's gonna happen now shut up and be a man. Let's get this night over with so my brother will fall in love with you and we can all play happy families."

Krillin frowned at Eighteen's persistence and walked up to her, not replying. She shrugged carelessly and opened up the door of the cabin, entering her brothers home. The couple looked around briefly before being met with a devious stare from Seventeen, who appeared out of nowhere wearing a white apron.

"You're here, finally. Sit down - we're having bird."

"Bird? For dinner? Is that even legal."

"Ofcourse it is dear sister now shut up and sit down. I cooked it especially for you...and for our guest ofcourse," Seventeen stared at Krillin with an obvious fake smirk, which was met with Krillin awkwardly rubbing his neck and nodding.

"I'll let the two of you...converse whilst I put the finishing touches to my bird," Seventeen turned on his heel and walked over to the oven, muttering something under his breath about wanting to make the bird crispier.

Eighteen leaned over to Krillin and whispered, "Are you alright? You look like you've seen a ghost, snap out of it before Seventeen notices."

Krillin shook his head, "Nah, I'm cool don't worry about me babe," He placed his hand over hers before she quickly removed it, looking over her shoulder to Seventeen who was in a world of his own, focusing on his bird.

"Not whilst he's here and don't call me babe either, he won't like it."

"Right," was all Krillin said.

"THE BIRD'S READY!" The couple flinched at the scream, turning their attentions to Seventeen. He walked towards them holding a platter with what looked like vomit on a plate.

"Sorry it took so long, I really wanted it crispy you know?"

The couple merely nodded, staring at the...bird, was it? It looked like something your blind Grandmother would try feed you, and Krillin was fairly sure Seventeen had purposely left some bones in the bird.

"Who wants the first piece? I know, you can Krillin. Since you're the guest, afterall. Here, I'll even cut it for you."

"N-n-n-no, that's al-" Krillin was interrupted by Seventeen picking up a knife that had to be bigger than him and cutting off the most disgusting looking part of the bird, "Nonsense. Here, have a taste. Tell me if that's how you like it."

Krillin tried to object but Seventeen practically shoved a small portion of the bird into his mouth. He started chewing, eyes watering and went to spit out the remnants of the bird before noticing Seventeen inspecting him - not even blinking once, waiting for him. Hoping that he fails this little task of "get the brother on your side." He then looked over at Eighteen, who urged him on with her hand, pleading with him to swallow the bird and pretend he liked it for his sake. He obliged, begrudgingly, but he did.

The bird tasted like leather, it must have been - Seventeen must have purposely stuffed it with something. It was disgusting, all the flavours were mixed up and he bit into around 5 bones. After 2 minutes of awkward chewing and Seventeen ready to pounce on him, Krillin eventually swallowed.

"T-t-t-t-that was s-s-so nice...thanks S-seventeen.."

"I know, right? I always was a good cook. Hey, you look like you're crying - did you really enjoy it that much? Such a sport you are, Krillin," said Seventeen almost tauntingly, wanting a reaction out of Krillin. Wanting him to start a conflict, which would ultimately land him in trouble with Eighteen. It was either that or the other way, he didn't care which.

"Y-y-yeah it was just so g-good, can I use your bathroom please? I think I'm about to thr- I mean, I want to freshen up before we all start eating."

Seventeen nodded without saying anything and pointed to a door behind Krillin. Krillin looked at the door, nodded to the siblings before making his way into the bathroom. Groans were heard and what sounded like vomit hitting the toilet, the siblings could've swore they also heard Krillin cursing what sounded like something being "crispy my ass."

Eighteen turned to her brother and was met with a just as equal glare, "What are you doing, Seventeen?"

"Why, what do you mean sister?"

"Forcing Krillin to eat what looks like a plate of shit, for one."

"I didn't force him to do anything, he did it and excuse me - that's my bird you're talking about. I worked hard to hunt for that today. I'll be damned if it gets wasted," Seventeen paused to flick strands of hair from his face, "Besides, he's the one who should be impressing me. Showing me why he's truly worthy of you - until then, I'll put him through his paces."

Eighteen rolled her eyes and nodded, Seventeen turned back to the bird and started laughing on the inside at how gullible his own sister could be sometimes.

"Oh Kami, what was that- that surely can't have been food. I'm pretty sure he did it on purpose too, you don't see Eighteen eating that crap!" Krillin muttered to himself whilst spitting out the remnants of bird into the toilet.

"I've had a bad feeling about this all day, he's up to something. Probably scheming to break us up...damnit, what would Goku do? Could really use some guidance right now, buddy. Hey, what would Yamcha do? He's still alive!...probably run away screaming, shit. I can't even call Tien for advice because Launch blew up the damn phone-"

Krillin's muttering was interrupted by a knock on the bathroom door, "Krillin, are you alright? You've been in there for a while now."

"I'm okay Eighteen, just uh- hah, you know me - weak bladder is all!" Krillin heard a "yuck!" noise followed by what sounded like Eighteen slapping her brother for making such a noise, "Okay, don't be long honey."

Eighteen stared at her brother after leaning off the door, who had his eyebrow raised.

"What?"

"'Honey'? Seriously? Since when did you come out with remarks like that?"

"Since I became happy and got a life."

"You weren't happy before- when it was just us two? Is he the cause of your happiness and not the fact you're reunited with my brother?"

"I know what you're doing Seventeen, stop it. You're both the reason, can't you just share the spoils?"

Seventeen scoffed and went back to dishing out bits of food to each of their plates - his first plan was to try lure Krillin into insulting/attacking him so Eighteen would see through that shrimp's motives and dump his ass, but after hearing Eighteen he knew she wouldn't give up on the chrome-dome that easily. No, he had to take the serious step. He had to take Krillin out.

Seventeen checked his suspiciously expensive looking watch, "Ah, just five minutes to go. Your time is almost up, shrimp," he muttered.

"Eighteen, dear sweet sister - could you be so kind as to drag your boyfriend out of my bathroom so we can eat? It's rather rude to leave the host standing when he has prepared ever-"

"Alright, relax. Krillin - get out here!"

A moment passed before Krillin exited the bathroom, his face paler than usual and eyes watery, "Sorry about that guys, I had uh.. a lot of water? Yeah, had a lot to drink."

The siblings both gave him the same confused look and Krillin laughed awkwardly before sitting himself down, "So uh.. food looks..."nice"! Good job Seventeen."

"Don't patronize me, shrimp."

"Don't call Krillin a shrimp, dick."

"You call him a shrimp, so why can't I? Bitch."

"I'm allowed, I'm his girlfriend you idiot."

"Don't mention such profanity in my house! It's bad enough knowing my own sister has low standards."

"Why you little-"

Krillin interrupted the bickering siblings before the argument got anymore out of control, "Hey guys! It's okay, honest. I don't mind being called names, used to it. Let's just eat, food looks great. Thanks for inviting us, let's enjoy this together alright?"

Seventeen picked up his fork and started picking at the bird, checking his watch now-and-then, "Whatever."

Eighteen followed suit and also picked at her food, not eating it - she figured if the own host was not eating it and Krillin vomited a small piece he had tried back up - it had to be disgusting. She'd be sure to blame her "lack of appetite" on some malfunction.

Krillin however, was receiving a death glare from Seventeen and he figured it was because he had not touched his food yet. He gulped and slowly picked up the fork, picking off small pieces of the bird and shoving them in his mouth. It's just chicken, it doesn't taste like shit, it's just chicken...picture chicken, taste the chicken...it's fine, you're fine. This stuff might kill you but you're fine. Roll with it. Seventeen nodded in response to Krillin eating but still didn't touch his own food. Krillin went to take another bite but before he could he was sure he could he some noises coming from outside, a loud bang, and another, and another...

BOOM.

Krillin & Eighteen flinched whilst Seventeen played dumb, looking around curiously, "Oh dear, someone must be attacking. Let us go check it out!" said Seventeen in the most sarcastic voice you could ever hear. Ofcourse, Krillin was too stupid to notice and Eighteen wasn't listening - she was already out the door and had already flew away in one direction to investigate. Just like Seventeen knew she would do.

"Shrimp, let us check over here. I can hear it."

Krillin nodded and jumped in the air, following Seventeen over to a clearing. They were flying for around 5 minutes before landing on a small pathway that was blocked by hundreds of trees, with only grass ahead.

"I think it came from here- shrimp, check through those bushes."

"I have a name you know."

"Sorry, chrome-dome. Go check, I'm right behind you. I think we're under attack!"

Krillin went through the bush, getting pricked by nettles along the way until he fell out the other side and onto a small grass patch. He took one look around and saw he was completely enveloped by trees, then he looked up and saw a radio right there infront of him.

Noises were coming from the radio, loud bangs and people screaming. Was this a trick? What was going on? Krillin rubbed his head and got up, turning around before bumping into someone...

Seventeen stood infront of him, face-to-face with such a look of contempt upon his face. Krillin took one look at the radio and then up at Seventeen.

"You've tricked me, haven't you?" Krillin asked.

Seventeen moved around Krillin and turned off the radio, so he wouldn't alert anyone, "Unfortunately, drastic measures had to be taken. You really think I'd let you take my sister from me?"

"Take your sister from you, what are you talking about?"

"You know damn well what I'm saying!" Seventeen striked Krillin's face with a fierce punch, sending the smaller fighter to the ground with a sickening thud, "Ever since you two got together, it's all about you! Krillin this, Krillin that! She has no time for me but she just doesn't realise it, that's all. She doesn't realise how important I am to her. Don't worry, she'll know. I just need to give her that extra push."

Seventeen sent a timid ki-blast at Krillin, to keep the small fighter at bay on the ground. Krillin grunted and held his ribs after being cut by the blast.

"Eighteen, help me! Where are you?!"

"You think she'll hear you? And if she did, do you really believe she'd take your side over me? How do you know she wasn't in on this with me?"

Krillin looked shocked, "S-she wouldn't do that to me, she cares about me!"

"You're just holding her back, dear sweet Krillin. She didn't want to watch you die ofcourse, so she left that up to me. Don't worry, it'll be quick I promise."

"This will kill your sister, I know Eighteen and I know she had nothing to do with setting me up!"

"You know nothing!" Seventeen snapped, "You're killing my sister, noone else - just you! So now I'm going to kill you and set her free, make her happy again! It's what she wants, why can't you realise that?! You're just as stupid as that Goku, no wonder he's dead. Say hi to him for me, by the way."

Seventeen powered up a much stronger ki-blast in the palm of his hand, one so strong it seemed like it would take out an entire building. Or two. Krillin was too weak to move and squirmed, trying to move back towards the bush and away from the psychotic Seventeen. It was to no prevail, Seventeen grabbed Krillin's leg and threw him over to the middle of the clearing - his only pathway now blocked by trees and he was too weak to fly.

Seventeen hovered over Krillin and faced his palm at him, still powering up the blast.

"Any last words, shrimp?"

Krillin shut his eyes and sighed, "The anticipation of death is much worse than death itself..."

"What was that?"

"Something my master taught me, something that would help me during a time like this. And you know what? He was right, I've embraced death before and I'm not afraid of it anymore. You don't scare me, Seventeen. Do it."

Seventeen hesitated, stepping back a few times before regaining his composure.

"I'm not aiming to scare you - I'm just aiming to kill you and get my sister back!"

And with that, Seventeen fired the powerful ki-blast at Krillin who lay helplessly on the floor. Krillin's perspective became slow, as if death turned down the speed of time and was taunting him. Brief flashbacks appeared from when he was at the monastery, to when he first met Master Roshi and asked him to train him. Flashbacks of his past life with Maron, his time spent with Oolong and his adventures with Goku & Bulma. The first time he flew, the painful scars branded into his forehead - all of it came rushing back to him. And so, as the blast edged closer and closer, Krillin just lay there with a smile on his face. He didn't have such a bad life afterall, it was full of ups and downs but that's life. He took a look at the sky, not wanting to look at Seventeen or the ki-blast dead-on. Not out of fear, out of pity. How low this man had come just to get what he wanted - how selfish and desperate he could be. Krillin did not fear Seventeen, he pitied Seventeen because Seventeen was lonely. He just had a different way of dealing with loneliness.

Krillin eventually shut his eyes, stopping the flashbacks and awaited his oncoming death. Awaiting the blast that would send him crashing through the ground, beneath Earth's soil. Awaiting Heaven and all of his friends and family. Except he didn't get that far, he didn't reach Heaven, he didn't hit Earth's soil and he wasn't send crashing through the ground.

Because the blast didn't hit him.

"What happened?"

Krillin looked around, expecting a reply, before turning his attention to Seventeen. He looked shocked, stunned & Krillin could've swore he had a tear falling out of his eye. His body was completely still and he was beginning to shake, cursing himself for being so stupid. Krillin scratched his head and looked to where Seventeen was staring at. That's when he spotted a body, burnt due to the intensity of Seventeen's blast but still he was still able to identify it. The blue eyes shot wide open, the blonde hair that was singed & pale skin that was visible beneath the burns and Seventeen's reaction told him all he needed to know.

It was Eighteen, she had dived in the way at the last minute and took the full force of the blast. It was Eighteen who lay on the floor, a giant hole visible through her abdomen with an exit wound. It was Eighteen who looked so burnt it was even painful to touch her skin.

It was Eighteen who was dead.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter, wrote it at 2 in the morning so bare with me for any mistakes lol. R&R is appreciated, stay tuned. Adios for now.