The Way Life Raised Him

by Sairey13

Gohan didn't seem to change much while living in the wild for six months, especially when he had no human contact during those months on his own... Well, we'll be seeing a different results of Gohan, on what happens when, besides Piccolo, the wild changes him to become a fighter. AU. NO SLASH! Father/son moments between Piccolo and Gohan.

10. The Task at Hand

October Seventh…
An entire week swiftly went by, and during that time, Gohan had kept up to his word on helping Pigero. Which… Just as he expected, wasn't easy. The next day after that night, he went hunting for fish near the shoreline to avoid some of the leftover food that made his stomach upset and during his catches, Pigero had watched in astonishment how the toddler easily caught those fishes with his bare hands. Watching how the Saiyan-hybrid was able to hunt for his food, immediately gave him the idea to have the boy teach them all how to hunt like him and survive the wild as he does. So, in the middle of the day, he gathered all the younger kids to announce that not only will they not be stealing food from the towns, but that Gohan was going to teach them how to get their own food and to properly defend themselves against the adults from the Home.

He may had promised to assist Pigero to get the others to stop stealing food from the adults at the nearest town and find other ways to survive… But to make an announcement to the others, without discussing an actual plan with each other first, was a bit uncalled for. As for the children, being stunned was an understatement. The moment they were told they're no going to be stealing anymore… Some of them actually threw a fit of his decision, while the others weren't certain if they should join in or make any form of comment at all. Stealing was their only way of life that gets food into their bellies and to hear Pigero saying they're not going to do so anymore, it wasn't something they were expecting to happen. And to top it all off, the youngest of the group was going to teach them to forage food like savages and how to take on the workers that try to take them to the Home to live like animals?

They don't doubt Gohan's intellect or judgement on how to teach them like he learned to survive the wild, but they just don't think it's going to work, let alone possible to not go back the way they knew how to provide for themselves. But, Pigero's their leader, the oldest amongst them, and what he says, goes. So, just as they were told, they're enrolled into Gohan's Training Camp... And boy, was it brutal.

Because of their age, most of the younger children grew frustrated when they didn't get it down the first few tries. They also realize that they don't really know how to actually fight like Pigero or Gohan does and when being taught certain fighting styles or attacks, nearly all went down pretty quickly than the Saiyan-hybrid hoped to last. What was more gruesome, is not being able to eat when they wanted to and only getting a smaller portion than they normally consume when dinner came. Those who slacked off, ended up pinned to the ground by the three year-old or Pigero forcing them to run in the sand of the beach without any shoes on. They even had a curfew to wake up when the sun rises, and to go to bed when the sun has vanished over the sea.

Though they had to do only a few hours of training in the morning and afternoon, none of them enjoyed the torment of this sudden change to their life... However, around the fourth day, they started to see the results of their training beginning to pay off: They noticed how easier they were able to climb up the trees when getting the fruits from the branches, less tired than they were when moving around all day, and even more focused than they normally would be. Not only that, but they were starting to enjoy doing things they never thought to be able to do, like catching fish with makeshift spears or learning how to start fires.

Ena and Hacchi, being the eldest of the younger kids, are more willing to take his lessons far more serious than the others, even to go as far as learn to locate specific plants and their healing properties. They even shown to be especially good at locating objects farther than the others, making them more to having the duties as scouts. The two even found some books from the other houses and, because they were going to start first and third grades of school before the tsunami hit, began teaching the younger kids how to read and write. Gohan knew he can count on them to use certain books And lessons to help the others mentally grow and get their minds thinking ways to improve their living condition.

Rom, Jinku and Yoron were more motivated to listen and learn when it came to battle tactics and new fighting styles from Pigero. The three also grew very interested to building traps and making weapons to subdue their enemies, even trying to make swords of their own from bamboo. Gohan made sure they didn't go overboard with their weaponry ideas, even to make sure they don't embrace the thought of killing those who get in their way and to only kill when their lives are being threatened to be taken from them, or when hunting certain animals for food and other usefulness. They even started doing guard duty at night, with Pigero or even switching shifts with him, to allow him time to rest and trust them to keep an eye out for the workers from the Home, especially Rom, who wanted to make up for his careless when he fell out of the tree while dozing off.

Chico was the hardest to try and get used to the program. She doesn't like being involved in fights and prefers being at a far distance to throw projectiles at a safe distance. She also has problems keeping up with the others through their training, and is the most to complain about their food not being fresh or even brought from the nearest town. However, besides Gohan, she's the smallest and the most silent out of the group. Which makes her very valuable for scouting at afar distance with Ena and Hacchi, and more experienced for scavenging. Also, because of her innocent feature, she's less likely to appear as a threat and can draw attention to direct their enemy's attention away from the others. She's even thinking about starting the idea on growing their own fruits and/or vegetables, when she can find the perfect spot to grow their plants and gets the time to start doing so.

Pigero, while worried he made the wrong choice at first, was very surprised on seeing the changes being done to their makeshift family. While he still had to keep an eye out for them, increase his own training and participating certain lessons with the others, he was very much happy with this new living arrangement. Not only are they learning how to hold their own in battle, but he's finally given a chance to have time to be a kid with then, no matter how minimal it may seem. The best part, they're no longer stealing to get by when going into town to find certain items nobody uses in the alleys, making his fear they end up becoming delinquents less likely. Everything's going so well for Pigero, that he began acting more like an actual leader/responsible big brother he knew he's supposed to be.

Yep, Gohan is confident that if they keep this up, they'll end up on the path as Earth Younglings, not raised as the animals and their understanding in life, but live alongside Mother Nature and protect the environment from tainted, self-centered humans... Which, to his great sorrow, more for the part of his human-heritage, knew that when they complete their training and put an end to the war with the adult-humans from the Home, will mean his time with the orphans is at an end, too.

He isn't thrilled of the thought on leaving his human claimed family, but knew it has to be done. Besides, learning all he could from one pack and leaving to learn from another, is what he's done for three moons before an Earth Wing snatched him to imprison him on Izolim Island. He does plan to come by and visit them from time to time, maybe even stay with them for a while to make sure they're striving and teach them other lessons to help improve their survival skills. Keeping their bond as allies, fellow pack-mates even, is important to the society of the wild. Hence, why else would prey and predators at times refer each other or their own pecking order as allies? He, himself, is an All-Ally and he prefers keeping his bond strong with those he lived along side with and taught him valuable teachings on being an Earth Young.

Gohan has no doubt Pigero and the others shall make great Earth Younglings... However, there's one major issue that stands in his way from competing his task and will tarnish all his teachings and efforts to help the orphans live alongside Mother Nature: Man, or more specifically, the adults from the Home.

Lately, they've been dropping by at random timing of the day to try and capture them, even almost coming every night to grab them when they're sleeping. Of course, thanks to his and Pigero's training, they prevailed and sent them running with their tails between their legs. But lately, some of their encounters has been involved with some of the police stepping in to help subdue the children, which some of the kids recognized the police dog-man they outsmarted the last time they stole from the nearby town aiding their capture.

If the people from the Home are involving law enforcement into the battlefield, then their war has grown more dire for them to win. Yet, even with their training and ideas for setting traps, he knew they'd be very outnumbered and will require some backup. So, after finding some ravens near the area and giving them a small bundle of his own hair, for them to use as proof for his extended clans to know he sent the ravens and help them track down as own scent, the bird birds flew off over the horizon to find whoever of Gohan's allies are nearby and help him with deal with the humans. While that part was being taken cared of, Gohan found another few birds, robins to be exact, and got them to head out to locate the Home to figure out when their next visit with them is going to be.

That was over two days ago since the ravens left and an entire day for the robins to be gone, and so far, no news from either party returning reached him. Right day now, he, Chico and Ena are in town, which he later learned is named after Hābu Town, looking in the alleyway for any items to be of any use to them and their family. So far, they found some discarded rope that's still sturdy to be used for their bolas' supplies, a bent up pan to place their food over the fire to cook, a couple of cans and bottles to either gather for collecting rainwater or even to recycle for a few money to be used for later and, in case when they're able to, a few wires and a couple of loose bolts and screws to gather and used should they make an effort to fix some electronics at their home to get their heater running for a the winter. He may remember reading books on electronics, but the Saiyan-hybrid has no need for electricity and will let Pigero decide what can and can't be allow to have at their home, so long it doesn't harm the environment and only be use to help them endure the hardship of life.

As the two girls continued filling their bags, both made with a hide of a boar, thick palm-tree leaves, oak-tree bark and tree sap, Gohan went a little exploring around the Town Market. He's perfected on walking on just his legs again, but is more comfortable walking on all-four and being more connected to the Earth. None paid him any mind, though some were giving him an odd look and didn't take long for the toddler to recognize them being there when he pretended being hurt on that very day. Still, nobody said anything or even made any attempt to draw attention towards him, only eyeing him until going back to their business or looking away from his own glare of a warning if they try to pull anything on him.

"Tweet tweet. Tweet!" He looked up and saw the two robins coming down, landing on both his shoulders and taking shelter underneath his mane-like hair to hide from the humans.

"Rrr~r~r~r..." ~Rrrumblle~ Word? Report? News?

One of them, with more grey over it's head and less red on it's chest, answered him.

"Eee tweet tweet tweet. Tweet ee eee tweet eeee." Shadowmere, in danger. Human Younglings, in danger. Man plot soon, attack younglings soon.

Gohan knew it was bound to happen soon, but the tone of fear from the fragile bird alerted him that this attack was going to be the war he and the others are still preparing for. Not only that, but some are exhausted from their sleep being disrupted by the adults and Rom's group need more time to set their traps. Even if he, himself, were to locate the building where they reside in and take them on, with or without any complication, whether having Pigero join him in combat or on his own, it would be too risky to not know how many of the adults will be there and couldn't chance the possibility he'd endanger the children being living at the Home. Plus, they would still have the police to take care of and, if certain force was needed, won't hesitate on hurting the others in any way to catch them.

"Errr~r~r." ~Grrrrowlll~ When attack?

The second robin, having darker-grey feathers than it's companion, replied.

"Tweeeet tweet tweet, eeeee Tweeeet eee." Next sun... Tomorrow, most from nest and some from other flock.

The answer isn't what he wanted to hear.

'Not much time,' the boy immediately calculated. 'Night Wings not return, fail assistance, pack fall by Man.' *Grrrrrowllll* His hands clenched into fists and his jaw locked his fang-like teeth together, his knuckles turning white from the tight tension and feeling one of his teeth getting loose.

Lately, one of his bicuspid teeth, the top-right second bicuspid, has been wiggling lately and he knew one of his baby-teeth is going to fall out very soon. This tooth is going to be his very first tooth to lose, but he wasn't sure what to do with his discarded tooth once it falls out. He knew he mother plans to bury each and every baby tooth he lost in a garden of one of the best universities in the world, hoping it'll provide luck for her son in the future to become a great scholar. Though, a while back ago, he wanted to do his family tradition* by throwing his bottom teeth on his roof and top teeth down to the dirt for good luck and silently wish for his permanent tooth to grow in strong and healthy. Now, he wasn't sure what to do with it. So, for now, he'll carry his lost teeth in a small-pouch tied around his neck until he can figure out what to do with them.

"Gohan!" Chico's call broke the three year-old out from his thoughts, seeing the two girls coming out from a different alley he knew he didn't last left them in, gesturing him to come over to them. "It's time to go home!"

Ignoring some of the humans' staring he regained from Chico's outburst, Gohan silently made his way to his 'sisters' and the three head for Ena's bike, which was hidden behind a couple of garbage cans at the first alleyway they saw when entering Hābu Town, and calmly rode their way down the road. They road down the ramp-like street, a couple of hard turns until exiting the town and go around the cliff. However, instead of following the road for fifteen minutes until the first signs of damage from the tsunami appear, after taking the curve around the cliff, Ena peddled straight off the road and into the grass, riding them through the trees until turning on a marked tree Jinku placed nearly a four days ago and going up the small-hill after passing the cliff.

As they near their home through this new trail, Gohan felt the two robins shifting on his shoulders, both ready to take off.

*Rrrrumbblleee…* Gratitude, thank both… Please, keep watch, alert Man arrival.

Neither respond to him and took off into the sky, but he didn't need to get any response from the two. He knew they'll still help him; he's an Ally, and any other human he reach out to who'll end up becoming Earth Young like himself is also their Ally.

*Pweeet pweet, pweeeeeet!*

Jinku's whistling call alerted the others of their return, a signal call Rom and his group decided to come up with whenever they find any of them returning from their scavenging. Hearing the signal brought relief to the girls and Gohan, happy to hear the signal instead of none whatsoever and fearing they're under siege by the adults from the Home and/or the police. After going through the thickets and popping out behind their new makeshift garage building from the right-side of their now actual house, Ena, Chico and Gohan were greeted back by Hacchi and Yoron.

"Hey guys, welcome back!" Hacchi is the first to welcome them back, as Yoron took Ena's bike into the garage to check over for any signs of damage or any parts that may need to be replaced, which he has a few books to teach him how to fix certain machinery or give him ideas how to make certain stuff without mechanical supplies. "How was the scavage?"

"It went well," Ena answered. "Found some stuff that's sure to come in handy, or to at least get us a few yens to save up."

As Ena and Chico presented what they've gathered to Hacchi, Gohan turned his attention for any sign of Pigero. He has to inform the oldest about their next encounter with the adults, and come up with a plan to hold them off, immediately. Of course, this news will also involve the other orphans to be presented for the plan and the call for an emergency meeting will surely reach the oldest-boy. But, as their leader, Pigero must know if this news first before any of the others.

He turned to the others, and let his grunting sentence interrupt their conversation.

"Where Pigero?" The three older kids stared at him for a moment, until another answered him.

"He's with Rom," Yoron, coming out from their dubbed garaged, answered. "They're checking on the traps, seeing if any got springed by the animals or are still set for the adults when they get here. Why?" Child curiosity or just purposely being nosy, a low growl left his throat and, instead of answering the other boy, Gohan sniffed the air and quickly took off, on all-fours, when he caught Pigero's scent. Five minutes running down the trail halfway in the center of the damage neighborhood and going west to jump over a brick-wall into another part of the forest, along with traveling through the trees to avoid any part of the ground to not trip off any traps that are hidden, he found both Rom and Pigero in a tree, tying a thick vine around the top trunk of the tree they're in to finish setting the last of the noose traps. On their backs, two weasels on Pigero's and a pheasant on Rom, small trail of blood circling their necks and heads and appear to not be breathing.

A small-smile labeled itself on Gohan's face, pride swelling in his chest. They may seem small, but had died a swift, painless death, thanks to the traps they laid out. This shows to be very reassuring to the Saiyan-hybrid, how more improved their traps are being more effective to bringing down preys larger than rabbits. However, now wasn't the time to be happy when a great danger is coming for them. Expertly making his way above the older-boys on a branch, without making a sound to alert his presence, he finally let himself be known.

*Grrrowl* "Pigero." Both gasped in shock and visibly jumped a bit, pleasing the three year-old of his stealth and silently disappointed that neither were paying attention to their surroundings when they always need to have their senses on high alert at all times.

Pigero is the first to recover.

"Nice going there, Gohan, nearly gave us a heart attack and fall to our deaths." Gohan can hear no anger in his voice, while Rom finally caught his breath and gave him an embarrassed, angry look.

"What are you even doing here? And where's Chico?" A low rumble vibrated the toddler's chest, which still at times made Rom concern and uncomfortable whenever he makes an animal sound as if to remind him of his still feral-behavior.

"Safe," he grunted. "Return, brought supplies." He then turned to stare back at the oldest-boy. "News, important." *cough* *cough* "Must speak." His whispered voice carried an almost mournful tone, making both older-boys feel a trickle of fear coursing down their spines. As always, Rom spoke first before the other person could speak before him.

"What's is it?" Gohan could tell them both at the same time, but silently awaited for Pigero to give him permission to do so, which he gained from the firm nod he received.

And so, he answered, "The Home... Many... Strike, soon." Two pairs of brown-eyes widen in horror from his words, as he expected to gain as their reaction when the words sunk in. Knowing there isn't time to give them a moment to process, he low growled to get them to focus on him and gestured them to their home. "Others. Must plan... Prepare." Pigero nodded his head and, after grabbing a hold on Rom's shoulder to pull him onto his back to carry him, not caring if they still have a hold on their kills or not, the two made a beeline back to the top of the hill of their desecrated town to their home.

As they ran for their home, Pigero let out his trademark signal.

*PWEEEEEEEEET...! PWEEEEEEEEET...! PWEEEEEEEEET...!*

So long they were in earshot and weren't out of bounds of their town where their marks had been placed, all the orphans heard their leader/big brother's distress call. Wherever they were at, they have to immediately head back home, and await for Pigero to debrief them of whatever it was that was urgent. And, as he already saw what would happen, all the orphans showed signs of fear, anger and determination when Pigero told him what Gohan has informed him.

Of course, now assured in himself and the younger-kids' improvement for fighting, the eldest-boy got them to calm down and listen to hear on what they must do for a plan. Each were given specific tasks to prepare themselves for battle, along with giving them any sort of advantage that'll increase their success

Yoron, with Chico's help, went down to the road where a hole has been made and further dig out the tire-marks the adults had made to avoid the hole area that'll expand the top of the whole and make a vehicle's balance go off should any try to drive over the area, even a hover vehicle wouldn't be capable to get through what little ground is left visible to show signs of being part of the road.

Hacchi and Ena gathered as much rubble to use as ammo for long-range attacks, while gathering rocks to roll down their hill, should the adults find a way pass the whole in the road.

Pigero, Rom, Jinku and Gohan went to setting traps, whether it's to block the adults' paths to make it difficult to continue on and turn back, snatch them to decrease their numbers and be incapable at getting themselves freed, catch them and let their own momentum to leave them with concussions or knockout… Or even, if must, injure them with severe wounds that can also slowly kill the adults to scare them away and gain medical help. Pigero and Gohan also decided that each of them are to have a weapon to use in combat, instead of just using slingshots that could break on them at any moment and if an adult were to get to them and make an attempt to grab them. The toddler made sure to make each weapon exact with wood, ropes, metal and even parts of animal-bones he found between Hābu Town and their forest, given each weapon to whom's skills is more connected to that weapon.

Ena, with her keen accuracy of long-range and incredible craftsmanship of certain weaponry, is given the bow. Hacchi got a Bō staff made from bamboo, having perfect precessions of his surroundings and a fast task-planner, which he plans to someday turn it into a Naginata. Jinku has gained one of Gohan's own weapons, the bone claws, by the toddler's own volition, for his close-range combat and having a habit to attack his opponent by scratching or biting. Rom, though a bit disappointed at first by the decision, is given the tonfa, for overpowering his opponents and great form of defense to go along with his offensive skills. Yoron got the jōhyō, for his quick thinking and preference to disarm or even leave his opponents weaponless. Finally, because of her expert marksmanship and surprising maturity to not use as a toy, Chico has earned a special weapon that has a chain with a sharp blade on its end connected to a Bō, a Chigiriki.

Pigero, himself, head already been given a weapon a few days ago. Also, by Gohan, himself, is given the Saiyan-hybrid's own sword*. He's been using a bamboo-made sword for five days as a practice weapon and temporary combat tool against the adults lately, but when he'd shown to had perfected his sword-style and even succeeded on finally disarming Gohan's bamboo sword, the younger-boy knew he was ready to have the one weapon that seems to be rightfully his the whole time and didn't show any sadness to surrender a weapon that just appeared on his back one day. The boy may not have a weapon to aid him in battle, but the other kids know better than to assume he's helpless without a weapon in hand.

After making certain that each child has done their part exact and triple checking the traps, they went over with the plan on what was going to happen and where everyone was going to be at their home if the adults get past their traps. After a quick meal of captured fishes, rabbits and weasel, all went to sleep to conserve their energy... All but Gohan, who decided to stand watch for the night, wearing his wolf-pelt to blend in the shadows should the adults do try to ambush them sooner than later and don't see one of them is up to alert the others. He'll get his sleep when it's a few hours from sunrise, when he knows they're completely safe for the remainder of the night.

He knows that whether they succeed or fail, whatever the outcomes ends up, he'll have to permanently put an end to the adults' lives, either to temporary put a stop to a war that'll keep repeating itself until they finally lose or leave them as a dreadful sign for others to not cross them and label themselves as savages. Don't get him wrong, he won't have any doubts or any hesitation to kill them if it were to come to that option, but surely some of them had packs of their own and are only doing what their superior are telling them to do and if they're only following as ordered, then they don't deserve death for those who do.

He knows that the only way they'll win, is if any of his Ally-Predators responds to his message and come join the battle. Hopefully, the traps will buy them some more time for help to arrive. If not, then the battle will be brought to the adults' turf and the war shall commence when his Allies find his scent in a human's den.

His skin crawled from the thought of being held within walls, images of books and thoughts of formulas and historical timelines making his brain pulse from a migraine. His heart fluttered in yearning for the safety and protection of a home... To return under the care of her, again.

*Grrrrrrrrooooowwwllll...* No matter how hard he tries to ignore it, the part of him that's human still clings in the back of his mind, refusing to let go of his past and accept the fate he embraced to follow.

'Not go back,' he thought to himself. 'Never return past... Never return her.'

She's your Mommy! Please, go home!

*Sssssnaaaaaarrllll...!* 'Never... Not act, become Mother's Young, puppet. Will, shall not return… No longer mother… My claim, not.'

Besides, now's not the time to wallow in the past. Right now, is time to be prepared for battle. -Gohan stared up at the sky, taking notice a few stars vanishing from the sky.- And right now, it's time to finally get some rest.

The Saiyan-hybrid quietly grunted in agreement and silently removed himself from the window sill, making his way to the bed where Rom and Chico share With him every night since he first came to live with him. He doesn't really find any use for a bed, growing more to the comfort of the ground to be connected with Earth. Though, a part of him missed the warmth of sheets to keep him warm on cold nights like this and sharing the warmth with his newly appointed siblings made it even more enjoyable, just as much as snuggling with his extended pack-kins… However, he knew in the back of his mind, this was all going to end. He doesn't know why, but he can feel it deep inside of his bones that his time here is just about up.

He doesn't question those feelings, only to follow them and if they're telling him he'll have to leave, then he's going to interact as much time with his human-siblings as much as he could until he has to leave them. Pulling his wolf-pelt over the two siblings and settled himself at the edge of the bed, next to Rom, Gohan allowed the exhaustion within himself to embrace him and lure him to sleep the night away with ease.

Near Midday...
"Any sign of them?" Pigero called out to Yoran at the roof of their home from his spot in the tree, keeping visual eye out for any who chose to go on ahead by foot that the mole-child could've missed.

"Nope, not yet." Yoron replied back, still looking through the binoculars to keep looking.

"They're late, today." Pigero said to himself, though sounding not too surprised of the adults' delay.

Below him and taking shelter against the wall, Jinku and Ena both held a rope in their hands, connected to one of the branches that held up plank woods, hidden behind bushes, ready to release the rocks they gathered to roll down the hill by a mere tug from the rope. Inside the house Yoron is keeping watch on, Rom and Chico had their weapons resting on them like the others, while preparing themselves to use their slingshots when the adults come up.

"Do you think the finally gave up, Rom?" Chico questioned her older-brother, who kept glaring out at the view before him.

"If Gohan says they're coming, then they must be coming, Chico." Rom answered his sister. "They wouldn't just give up so sudden, after three years of attempted tries to get us to the Home. Besides, Gohan hasn't give us the signal ye-"

*Rrrrrruuuuummmmbllllleeeee* Aaaaawhhhhoooooo!

"...Nevermind, Chico, and get ready... They're coming."

They didn't have to wait that long, because followed by a few other rumbling sounds that alerted them that their traps are being springed and a few screams being heard from a certain distant, the adults began to make their appearance ten minutes later. They weren't in any vehicle and are walking towards their home, indicating the hole in the road has successfully prevented any of them from bringing a van or car to hold them in and take them to the Home. However, because they don't know how many were coming for them, they weren't certain how small they grew, let alone assume any got caught in their traps after springing them. But, they all knew Gohan's been tailing them since the adults dared to come back and abandon their transportations to enter their damage hometown. Which means, the orphans will be fighting twelve workers from the Home and nine cops accompanying and offering whatever aid they can to assist.

In front of the group of adults, the very same female worker who came with the same workers heading for them when Gohan had his first experience with the workers, leading the massive group to the bottom of their hill. Many looked worn and dirty, some covered in scrapes, a few showing signs of bleeding from minor injuries and a couple of them appear to have problem moving right.

"I see them!" Yoron called out, waving his right-arm to signal the others to have their weapons ready.

Pigero stood up in his spot in the tree, glaring down at the small-group coming for them and swiftly looking around the area for any signs of Gohan coming back to fight with them. So far, there was no sign of the three year-old Saiyan-hybrid. It was very possible he's being held back by some of the other workers and/or cops who either escaped their traps, or is leading some of them to the other traps to deplete the adults' numbers as possible. Whatever the reason is, the kids are well prepared for this sort of situation to happen and are just gonna have to deal with however many they can until the boy comes back to help deal with their enemies.

The female worker, taking notice of Pigero in the tree and glaring down at her, held her arms out to get the workers and police to stop behind her. It appear she's being cautious for any more signs of traps, which won't really hello her much when she had to come to their home to catch them. She may look sincere and compassionate, but the children knew it was all for show and weren't going to fall for anything she's going to say.

She shyly stepped up, both her hands clenched together in front of her chest.

"Kids," she called out, "If you can hear me, please listen. We're not here to hurt you, and we don't want to harm you in any way possible... We know how much this town means to you, and we're sorry for the family, friends and neighbors you lost from the tsunami." Pigero's eyes grew cold from her choice of words; she claims to be sorry for the misfortune that occurred three years ago, and yet doesn't seem to care for bringing up the people who died or how much the past still hurts them? "We know this used to be your home, but you can't stay here anymore. You have to come with us, so you can have a stable home and live with a real family. Your family wouldn't want you to live under these conditions, and would want you to be where they know you'll be safe." She held her arms out, as if expecting them to run down the hill and to hug them close to her. "Please, come with us, let us help you and we promise you'll be much happier living with us."

Rom had his slingshot ready to hit that woman in the face and break her glasses, barely containing himself to wait for their leader to give him the okay to do so. The other children were also disgusted by her words, especially going as far as claiming they weren't a family and that living under the control of abusive people as slave is what a family's supposed to be. Some of the workers looked to be snickering, as if she just told a joke but it was obvious that they were laughing from thinking the orphans are going to believe the lady's words of them not going to hurt them.

Too bad they're not going to be satisfied to hear that none of them believes her in the least, even Chico is able to tell that lady has been lying from the very beginning.

Pigero decides to make the first move.

"You may be right on some of those things," he replied back. "However, you're wrong about a few things: First, we never needed your help. You weren't there when the tsunami came, just like many other people who didn't know until later on what happened to our town. Hell, you didn't know where we were to begin with, until some folks from Hābu Town told you about us when we used to steal for food, which was almost two years after the tsunami attacked us. You could've known about us within two months in the latest, around the time the road would've been stable enough to drive through."

"Yeah!"

"That's right!"

Some of the children joined in the conversation, voicing out their words to back up Pigero should that lady try to claim he's controlling them on what he wanted them to do. Feeling more confident than he ever did in the past, Pigero felt pride and relief on having such loyal friends/appointed siblings he cared for since the incident. He couldn't believe how he was so close to considering on abandoning them for his selfishness, but now he's going to fight for them. No, he's going to fight with them, and it was all thanks to Gohan.

Even at a far distance, he can see some of the workers paling up a bit and that gave Pigero the satisfaction that they were caught from the fact that they weren't doing their jobs right.

"Second, we know what you do to children who are put under your care. We even have a reliable source to confirm the abuse and negligence you force onto the children, should they ever disobey you or don't do any chores for the day."

"You can't fool us, lady!"

"Yeah, we know the truth about you and those big meanies behind you, you witch!"

And by reliable source, he's talking about Gohan's bird companions who kept watch over the humans and observe how deep their choice of caring for the human younglings truly ran at the Home. Of course, Pigero and the others don't know how the toddler can communicate with the animals, but they knew better than to doubt his gifts he uses to help them to succeed.

"You can try and deny it, but we know the truth, and nothing you say or do will change our minds from learning what we suspected to being correct." Fear flashed in the woman's eyes, pleasing the oldest-boy to have caught her off guard by the knowledge of their facility. "And lastly... You claim we no longer have families, that you'll put us into a family that'll love us more than we'll ever feel loved out here... And lady, you're nowhere even close on being right on that part." He held his arms out, including all the children behind him. "We already have a real family, and that's all of us here."

Ena and Jinku didn't come up in order to remain hidden and not give away their traps, but the rest of the orphans didn't hesitated to come up from the windows and roof of their home to voice out what they have to say about the adults.

"We don't want here, and we don't want to go with you!"

"Take a hint already, go away and don't ever come back!"

"Pigero's right! We're already a family, and we don't want to be any part of family with you meanies in it!"

The police were confused and a bit uncomfortable by the children's protest to go with the social workers, but none had a second thought to go against the people who're paying them to do their job. Meanwhile, all the male workers are just about ready to run past their female worker and run up the hill to teach those brats a lesson on payback for all they went through by trying to take them to the Home. The female social worker, herself, was already losing her patients and isn't going to leave until she gets those kids in their abandoned van and are at the Home, working their tails off and getting a punishment worthy for their non-cooperation.

Luckily, she's a professional when it comes to keeping her emotions under control. "I just about had it up to here with you children," she said in a calm, but near threatening tone. "We've been patient with you, hoping you'd see reason and stop putting up a fight when all we're trying to do is help you. Now, we're at the end of our rope and seems none of you are being negotiable. You kids are going to come with us, today, whether you want to or not."

Pigero smirked at her words, as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"So much for your nice, motherly act bullspit* you put up." He sent a quick glance to Ena and Jinku, giving them a firm nod to prepare themselves to spring the trap. "Well, since you're not going to leave us alone and are so determine to take us to your prison, then come on up and get us. We won't stop you, but that doesn't mean we won't put up a fight." He looked over his shoulder to Yoron, who gave him a firm nod that he and the others are ready to attack. He then looked out the area behind the adults, unable to tell where Gohan is for the second time but knows he'll be here soon to help out.

The female worker let out a disappointed sigh, then lowered her arms.

"Why must you make this hard for you, when we're only doing what it's best for you kids?" She turned to the males behind her. "Get those kids out of there, but don't try to hurt them in any way possible." In response, the twelve workers ran past her and started up the hill. Whether they quickly forgot about the traps or are too pissed off at the kids and want to get back at them, it didn't matter to the kids.

Smirking at the idiots coming up the hill, Pigero pulled the sword from the scabbard and gently jerk it to make the sword flash the sun's light. Ena and Jinku saw the signal, and the two pulled on one of the few ropes beside them, each forcing a branch on their own sides to pull away and the plank woods to fall. Immediately, the rocks rolled down the hill and the stunned workers could only stop in their tracks before the rocks made random contact with the workers, bringing them down to the ground.

The police and the female worker were stunned at the fall of all the workers being hit by rocks coming out of nowhere, while they're able to move out of the way from some of the rocks that didn't hit anything.

"Damn brats were expecting this to happen," a bear-man cop muttered.

"We should've actually see that coming, considering the traps they set to prevent us from driving here." A man with short-blonde hair replied, who helped the female social worker steer away from the rocks before one almost got her in the leg.

"Yeah, and something tells me they have more ready to use on us if we try to go up." A beaver-man guessed, not looking certain if they should go up the hill or not.

The small dog-man who dealt with the children jumped up in front.

"We don't got much of a choice, boys!" He yelled, glaring daggers at Pigero in the tree. "We got a job to do and we're going to get it done, no matter what gets in our way!" Just as soon as he finished, one of the rocks bash itself into his face, leaving a dark imprint on his face and leaving him stunned for a moment. Quickly, he recovered and ran up the hill, holding a fist in the air. "Rrraaahhh! I'm gonna get you, brats!"

Up on top, Pigero snickered at the scene below him. Though more than half of the workers are getting back up and now the cops are coming up the hill with the workers, he can tell they can surely take them on by tiring them out and attacking with long-range attacks. However, the adults still outnumber them in number and by the time they run out of ammo, the children can be overpowered if cornered or forced to take on multiple adults on their own. Their weapons can help them even the battlefield by bringing the enemy down or inflicting severe injuries, but the oldest-boy was very strict to not go as far as to make any attempts on taking their lives... At least, not until Gohan is here to help him with the decision.

And speaking of the boy, there still isn't any sign of a distress call anywhere to indicate he's returned yet.

"Pigero!" Rom called out, gaining the oldest-boy's attention. "He isn't back yet! We're gonna have to take them on, on our own! What should we do?!"

He knew now wasn't the time to be scared, or to be getting cold feet right now. They made their mark to start their battle with the workers from the Home, and now they're going to fall through on finishing the war.

Pigero took a deep breath, then turned back to the adults coming up the hill. He raised his sword out in front of him, grasping the hilt in both of his hands.

"We keep fighting," he answered back. "That's all we can do right now, and that's what we're going to do." He then launched himself out from the tree, raising the sword over his head. "No matter what, we're going to keep fighting, until we win our freedom!"

---

Meanwhile...
"Huah...! Huah...! Huah...!"

*Stomp-stomp stomp-stomp stomp-stomp!*

"Where did that brat go?!"

A low rumble built itself in the back of his throat, glaring down at the four officers below the tree he's hiding within the branches. They're very persistent, chasing him and following him deeper into the forest, where some had already fallen into the traps they set up. Seven of them followed him after he forced one of the houses to collapse over one of the road in a t-section near the midpoint to their home and since then, he's been trying to catch them all and head back to the den. However, it was taking longer than he anticipated and the remaining four were able to avoid five of their traps after the first three got caught in the first, second and fourth traps.

*Snap!*

"Ahhhh!"

Now, it was four had been caught and three left to deal with, since the fourth victim seems to have fallen in a ditch trap, with a bush that was hiding the gathered leaves in the shadow. Now, the light-pink skinned human with brown-eyes and brown-hair is incapable on moving from the broken ankle he gained from the fall. A wolfish-smile played on his face... Only to vanish when the injured cop looked up and spotted him in the tree.

"There he is!" The officer exclaimed, pointing a finger to where Gohan is crouched on the branch. Instantly, he forced himself to leap from the branch he was on to the next tree ahead of him, knowing the remaining fools will be on his tail once again.

The injured cop won't be a problem and being left behind by his own allies, he'll either wait until another police or social worker finds him, or fear will play with his mind and make an attempt to leave on his own. And speaking of allies, Gohan wonders if any of his allies will be here anytime soon.

"That's it! I'm done playing this game!" He snickered at their frustration, as he flung himself to the next tree that leads to a weeping willow tree containing vines in some of the branches and the ground for the adults to get tangled in.

Watch out!

By sheer instinct, he pulled himself back from the trunk of the tree and the moment he did...

BANG!

Something fast went by his face and hit the tree she just got on... Followed by a stinging feeling implanting across his left-cheek and the scent of copper... Of Life!

Alarms ran in his head, as fear took over his confidence.

'Lightning Stone!'

"What the hell, Hojo?!" He didn't know which one was yelling or who it was that made an attempt to shoot him, and he didn't care. All he knows is to get away from the Lightning Stone, the weapon that man use to kill from even afar distance that imitates lightning.

'Tree! Find, locate tree! Vanish within leaves, branches!'

BANG! BANG!

Two more went by, narrowly getting him in the head and back, his fear pushing him harder to head for the trap nearly sitting outside of their marked outside boarder of their territory.

"Are you trying to kill the kid, Hojo?! Stop!" Fear and concern for the boy informed Gohan of his theory of some of them aren't corrupted as the others being correct, though didn't make him slow down in the least or even change his plan as the firing of a gun kept booming in the air.

"If the runt dies, then it's one, less brat to deal with!"

BANG!

Gohan's heart hammered in his chest when he felt another cut growing on his right-hand.

'Don't stop,' he said. 'Continue, progress forward, ahead!' His ears picked up multiple sounds of shifting leaves colliding with each other, and his nose caught the thick scent of sap he recognizes as the weeping willow. Hope filled his heart. 'Almost there! Nearly there...!' He launched himself out from the tree and reached for the closest branch extending towards him from the aid of the wind.

BANG!

A burning thrust made contact with his left-leg and the next thing Gohan knew, he's on the ground, convulsing and grabbing at his now bleeding leg. The branches and leaves embraced him when he fell through them, but then now entangled in the vines instead of the policemen who finally caught up to him.

"Damn it, Hojo!" A fox-man yelled, kneeling beside the toddler and examining the would, ignoring the warning snarl he was clearly gaining.

"It's not like the rest of you weren't even thinking about subduing him with the same idea, or even thought about using a taser!" A human with short blackish-brown hair argued back, not looking in the least upset on what he did to Gohan. "What's actually important, is catching these brats and getting them to the Home to whip them in shape! Besides, that nagging wench even told us she didn't care how we get them."

"Yeah, but she didn't mean you can shoot them!" Another human cop, with raven-blue hair, jumped in to the conversation, as he helped his fellow officer keep the boy still by pinning him to the ground. "When we get back to the station, the chief is going to have a field date with you, Hojo."

Hojo simply scoffed at the threat, as he grab for some of the vines constricting around Gohan and hauling them up in the air to form into a sack-like net.

"Like he's going to care for some feral brats getting hurt, especially since they did much more damage to some of the squad members when they came to get them." He glared down at the feral Saiyan-hybrid, who glared right back at him and baring his fang-like teeth. Hojo smirked at the trapped child in his hand, then jostled the vines a bit to purposely agitate the bullet wound, which also forced the boy to let out a yelp of pain. "Once we capture them all, they'll end up like the rest of those worthless brats at the Home. Nothing but a bunch of slaves, whose only purpose is to serve until they die."

His anger spiked and, without warning and ignoring the pain in his leg, lean out and snapped his jaw at the male's face. Blood entered the boy's mouth and is once again on the ground, as the two cops went to check on Hojo. Crouched on all-four, Gohan remained still, not wanting the vines to worsen their hold on him, as the cop that shot him slowly recovered and pulled his hand away from his bleeding face. Two parallel lines, from his right eyebrow down to the left-corner of his lip, caked the man's face with blood.

Rage build up in Hojo, shoving the other two males away and making his way to the boy.

"You piece of filth," he growled. "Nobody, not even some little feral bastard, place a hit on me and gets away with it!" All Gohan did was smile his wolfish-smile at the adult, not making any move when Hojo lifted a foot and stomped him to the ground.

"Ahhrff!" The kick made contact with his left-leg, making the bullet wound much more unbearable to not express how much in pain he's in. The adult only snickered as he kept stepping on the injured leg. "Aaaaah, raaa-awwwhh!" The other two males couldn't bring themselves to stop Hojo, knowing he could very much turn on them if they try to help Gohan or even lie to the chief at the station and put the blame on them for the injuries.

While this was going on, a few pair of eyes in the thickets were watching the whole event taking place before them. A few more pair of eyes watched from above the sky, angered the more they had to hear the toddler's cry of pain and silent call of where he's at for anyone to come to his aid. He has asked for their help, and they are going to help him.

The other two police, while Hojo enjoys himself at beating the boy to the ground, eventually took notice of the shade underneath them growing bigger and when they looked up, they only had enough time to scream before the shadows embraced them.

*SCREEEEEEECH~*

---

Back to Pigero…
"Rom, your left!"

The five year-old immediately twirled the tonfa in his right-hand and, after forcing a social worker to the ground by getting him in-between the legs, twisted himself in the air and smack a raccoon-man police officer upside the head, hitting the man's left-temple that left him with a concussion. Assuming his opponents were taken cared of, Rom turned his attention to his sister, who's on top of the roof and slowly backing away from two social workers and a cop, secretly preparing herself to get to the tree and to safety. Just as Rom was about to make a run into the building, the raccoon-man cop made a grab for him and hauled him upside-down in the air by his ankle.

Pigero, who made the call for the five year-old to attack, shoved one of the social workers down the hill and made a dash for the raccoon-man cop. He bashed his head underneath the cop's chin and rammed his shoulder into the adult's chest to pin him against the wall. The oldest-boy silently glared down at Rom, flashing a sign of scolding for dropping his guard down so quickly but also showing concern to make sure he's alright.

"Stop, you brat!" Above the two boys, they saw Chico clutching onto her Chigiriki, acting all scared and pretending to start losing her footing when her feet didn't feel solid concrete underneath her from behind. As they expected, she fell backwards before one of them could grab for her and, shifted her body, whipped out the chain to grab a part of the roof and swung herself towards the tree across their home.

Seeing her safe made Rom feel a great sense of relief, until he felt two other social workers coming up from behind him. At the same time, Pigero saw two more social workers coming towards him, getting the two boys to cover each other's backsides, their weapons out and ready to inflict injuries.

"Any sign of Gohan?" Pigero whispered to Rom, glaring at the light-tan human and black-bear social worker in front of him.

"No, and nobody heard for his distress call, either."

Rom's answer worried the oldest-boy the longer the Saiyan-hybrid remains gone, though he didn't show any sign of his emotions right now. And it wasn't just about the unknown whereabouts of Gohan, either. Already, they're starting to get exhausted the longer the fighting with the adults commenced and some of the kids had been wounded. They used up all of their ammos almost immediately after Pigero jumped into the battlefield when the rest of the adults went past him to get to them, resulting the other children to jump into the fight, too.

They tried to quickly take down the police, but that ended them being overpowered by the social workers when most of them recovered from the rocks,a major mistake on their part for just making the assumption that they wouldn't try to come back up after another third or fourth time with the fallen rocks.

Besides Pigero, Jinku's bone claws are the only weapons to be of any use to inflict serious damage. Ena's bow would've also fallen in the same category, if she only had an endless supplies of arrows at her disposal. She, Hacchi and Yoron already took into the safety of the trees when they couldn't keep fighting any longer, and Jinku's fighting his way to get into the same tree with Chico to protect her in Rom's place should the adults make a climb for her.

Outside of the fight, the female social worker held a cocky smile, grinning at the two remaining boys who're surrounded by six of the last ten males who kept on fighting.

"It isn't too late to change your mind," she called out to Pigero. "We promise you all will be well cared for at the Home, if you give up and come with us. If you don't quit fighting is, there's no guarantee the Head Master will go easy on any of you for resisting our aid."

All the two boys did was glare at her, neither of the two in the mood to answer her but clearly not taking her offer of a last chance to surrender. Chico wrapped her arms around Jinku's waist in slight fear of the two cops below them, knowing they carry guns in their holsters and even heard they're considering at shooting the branches to make them fall out of the tree. Ena, Hacchi and Yoron held out their weapons, ready to whack any of the last two social workers who would dare to come for them in their sanctuary.

His fear grew of his family being forced to taking shelter in the trees, getting more overwhelmed as doubt played his mind if his failure. He knows he has to keep fighting, but without Gohan to help him fight off the adults and the others unable to keep going, he has no chance at winning this battle and will be losing the war that'll make him surrender in order to spare whatever pain shall befall onto the younger kids.

Just as his mind was about to give him a final answer on what to do...

"HUUUUURRRRAAAAAAHHHHH!"

A swift blur came down from the sky and in mere seconds, all six of the social workers fell to the ground... All of which bleeding from massive claw-mark wounds that seemed to magically appeared out of nowhere. The small amount of dust eventually cleared and there, three boys stood within the circle of the adults formed instead of two... The third boy being the seventh member of the Orphan's makeshift family, Son Gohan.

The two cops and two remaining social workers were wide-eyed stunned on what they just saw, that none of them or even the female worker took notice of five figures stalking out from the shadows of the trees, until the four males found themselves pinned by five sabertooth tigers. And before the female social worker could get herself to run, a large shadow came down and pinned her to the ground, trapped in a large-talon of a giant-hawk. Above the bird pinning her, four more giant-hawks hovered in the air, one of which carrying the three remaining cops who were chasing Gohan through the forest and got him entangled in vines and another holding four more cops who fell for the children's traps and incapable of moving. All three were very battered up, covered in scratch and bite-marks, bleeding from open wounds, but very much alive and screaming in fear of being dropped to their death.

Pigero and the other children aren't sure if what they're seeing is actually happening, as all the adults are corralled to the middle of front-part of their house. While the sabertooth tigers kept a hold on each adults, Gohan made quick work on binding them in vines and ropes, already taking position of their weapons and even using their own handcuffs to lock their feet together. The moment they knew it was safe and saw that none of the birds or felines were making a move on harming Gohan, the younger kids came down from the trees and now stood over the people who hurt them and tried to take them away from the only home they ever knew.

The sabertooth tiger stood with the children, their low snarl rumbling in their chest to frighten the adults but not loud enough to worry the children for their own safety when they came to help. Because of Gohan's distress call he sent through the ravens and having part of his mane-like hair to locate his scent, the feline pack and flock of giant-hawks immediately came to his aid; he embraced the way of Earth Young through the sabertooth tigers and saved lives from both felines and birds, and they owe a great debt to the toddler for all he's done for them. And since he scent-marked these Man-Younglings as his pack, showing and teaching them the ways to survive as Earth Young and being attacked by their own kind who made them like prey, they are under their protection as well.

The female social worker didn't know if she should be surprised, or scared when she saw wild animals standing with the children and guarding them like they're their own cubs. One feline, in particular, with autumn-red colored fur, nuzzled against Gohan and licked his face where the scar from the bullet-wound marked his cheek to help increase the healing process before examining his bleeding leg.

"How…?" The lady softly whispered, trembling in fear when it seems her words angered the animals and the hawk still keeping her on the ground slightly strengthened its hold on her, not enough to serious wound her but enough to let her know it can kill her at any moment it wants to.

Silently, the Saiyan-Hybrid gestured Pigero to come forward next to him, allowing him the opportunity to say or do whatever he wants to with their victory clearly shown.

"You still don't get it, do you?" The older boy questioned, glaring down at her. "We're not like the children you tear away from family, that actually harm then or did nothing wrong to begin with. Either you hoped we ended up dead out on our own or eventually leave near your location to snatch us off the street, just so you would act like some caring person to the outside world to fool everyone else, it's not going to happen this time."

He held his sword out, barely startling the animals and allowing the woman's own fear take full control to start cowering and crying for her life. The remaining cops and social workers who're still awake, tried to break out of their binds to save her, but none had anymore energy left within them to free themselves and quivered when tell sabertooth tigers turned and snarled in their faces.

"Please, don't kill me!" The hawk kept a firm hold on her, not giving her the chance to rub and save herself. "I promise we'll leave you alone! I swear, we won't come for you! Just let me go!"

The younger children and the animals all awaited to see what Pigero will do: Kill her and the other adults, wound her as a warning to never come back, or spare her? Pigero turned to Gohan, silently asking him what he should do. His only answer was a returned gaze, which he knew means 'it's your choice to make'. He has to choose what he shall do and can't have nobody make the choice for him, but himself.

Whatever the decision he'll make, Gohan will support his choice, even if it isn't the right answer. In the wild, if this was an animal's problem and the humans tried to steal their younglings, they would be put to death. However, because some of these humans didn't try to cause actual harm to them and appeared uncertain on what the right thing to do is, death isn't the right answer. Although, most predators kill trespassers to prevent a continuous cycle to go on until one or the other finally drops, which should've been the obvious answer to the orphans since their encounter with the workers from the Home. If Pigero chooses death, whether to a certain amount of people or even to all of them, then this is the path of life the preteen has made for what they shall live by.

And, right on cue, the preteen brought down the blade and the female screamed... All eyes widen when they saw he didn't kill her or even marked her with an injury, but has broke her glasses in half and fall off her face. She reopened her has when she heard the glass of her glasses shatter, stared up at Pigero and, letting out a deep sigh, fainted underneath the hawk's talon.

Seeing what he has chosen, Gohan smiled with pride and the animals gave off a feeling of astonishment to his decision. Pigero hasn't forgiven them, that much he knew, but he can't bring himself to kill that would prove the adults right about them being savages.

"..." Pigero spun the blade in his hand and slide it back into the scabber. None of the younger kids made any attempt to speak to him, not sure what response he would give to them and waited to see what he would now do with the adults. "Gohan," he didn't turn his head to make eye contact with the toddler. "Can your friends help us locate where the Home is, and take us there?"

He immediately understood what he's asking of him to do. He turned to the five giant-hawks before him.

"Aaahha, auuh huurrraaah!" The birds didn't seem happy to what he said and some of them screeched at him, flapping their wings too make themselves look big and very intimidating.

"Eeeehhhrrr! Eeeeeeeehhhhr!" *Screeeeeeech*

A conversation went on between the birds and Gohan, with the boy roar/howling at them and slamming his hands onto the earth while the hawks would scream and make dust fly into the air from their wings. Pigero and the others weren't sure what was going on, but the sabertooth tigers simply laid on the ground to rest up and absorb as much of the sun's light as they can. The cops and social workers could only watch as the toddler has a screaming contest with the birds, knowing better than to try and escape or end up in more worse condition than they're already in.

"HUUUURRRAAAHHH AAAAAAHHHH!" *Cough* *cough* *cough* Gohan's voice went past it's limit, and got strained from the rising volume he enforced it to be heard. The leader of the sabertooth tigers came beside him and allowed him to lean against him, who caught his breath but didn't keep his gaze off the birds staring at him with sharp gazes of their own.

"…" The leader of the flock, after staring into the boy's eyes, lowered his wings and lowered his head. "Uuuurrrrr…" The other four hawks, also sharing the same look that their leader is flashing towards the toddler, stalked over to the adults and, ignoring their protest, grabbed them in their beaks and/or talons and took off into the sky. The leader, remaining on the ground, turned his body and lowered his wings to properly expose his back to Gohan and the children.

Gohan turned to Pigero.

"Take, guide towards enslavement." His voice low and husky, but not anywhere cracking up to signify any signs of damage resurfacing. Pigero, hesitant for a moment, slowly walk next to the giant-hawk and, making sure the bird isn't showing signs to double-cross him, climbed up to the midsection of it's back. The other children started to follow his lead, but Gohan held his arm out and shook his head. "Us only, allowed. Fewer, less straining to travel." He turned to the leader of the sabertooth tigers. "Rrrr oooarrrr." *Rummmmbleee*

The leader and the other felines came forward and, stunning the children, nuzzled the younger kids and checked then over for injuries. Seeing they'll be fine, Gohan got on the giant-hawk in front of Pigero and immediately, the giant bird took off into the air towards the direction of the mountains that the flock flew towards.

Nearly an Hour Later...
"When do you think they'll be back, Rom?" Chico asked her brother, laying against the leader of the sabertooth tiger who decided to keep her in his company since Gohan and Pigero left with the giant-hawks.

The large felines truly confuse the orphans very much, not certain how Gohan was able to get them to help deal with the cops and social workers but very grateful none of them are going to eat them. In fact, all this time, they acted like overgrown house cats and made sure none left the hill of their home unless accompanied by one of them. Hacchi and Ena, specifically, left for a moment, with one of the tigers chaperoning them, to forage for fruits and fish to celebrate their victory. When they came back, they brought more food than intended, all thanks to their new friend for joining the hunt to catch some boars and even a buck.

Rom, deciding to keep watch until Gohan and Pigero returns, turned his gaze for a moment to make eye contact with his for year-old sister.

"Hopefully soon," he said. "Wherever they went to, it's probably to drop the adults someplace far away from here or even from a town so they'll never try to come here, ever again."

"Well, whatever happens to them, let's hope they finally leave us alone." Yoron came up beside Rom on the roof of their home, gazing out as far as he could over the destroyed town of their home for any sign of danger. "After what Pigero showed what he could've done, proves that we can take care of ourselves and live a normal life just like anybody else. Which also means, we can make the right choices, even if it isn't what we wanted it to be."

There was no false in the six year-old mole-child's claim; Pigero displayed such maturity to not take the adults' lives when they were at their mercy, truly shows the signs of a wise and just leader. While the Law of the Wild would've wanted him to permanently eliminate his enemies to prevent a cycle from continuing, the animals are also impressed by the preteen showing mercy to an enemy. But, the consequences for his mercy will surely force him to eventually take the life of his enemy and when that day comes, he'll have to learn to live with that burden for the rest of his days and find the strength to push forward.

"Rom, Yoron!" Jinku, from the tree below them, called out to them. "I see them! They're coming back!" Both the boys and Chico looked up in the air, where they see five, faint dots heading towards them. From such a distance, the five dots slowly took shape into planes, then paragliders, and finally large-birds in the sky.

As the hawks came closer, Jinku took notice that there was something on each of the hawks' backs, not just the leader of the flock carrying Gohan and Pigero, and could've sworn he can hear the cheers of human children... Which, when the birds came to land, saw that they indeed have children on their backs, all covered with scrapes, dirt and torn clothes.

It was very shocking to see the giant-hawks, Gohan and Pigero return without any of the adults with them, and instead brought home more children, seventeen kids to be exact. But, when the orphans all came together to hear where their leader and youngest member went, they were speechless to learn that three children all came from the Home, which is now destroyed and the workers of the Home now jobless and in custody of actual policemen who suspected abuse within their facility.

They didn't get into too much detail on what they did, but knowing the two made certain that no child will be living in that hell and be treated as an abused animal is more than enough for the others to finally embrace the thought of the war with the Home and social workers is finally over and welcome the new comers into their family.

That night, they celebrated their victory with much gusto, though it required the orphans, some of the animals and Gohan to forage and hunt for more food to properly feed everyone. It was also when Pigero decided to hold a special ceremony to formally welcome the seventeen children into their makeshift family, a tradition he thought up if there would ever be a day they gain new kids to join them.

As the children celebrated, Gohan left the area to gain talk in private with the sabertooth tigers and giant-hawks, which was at the weeping willow where they found and saved him from the cop that shot him and nearly beat him. The boy was able to get the bullet out from his wound, but knew it'll take some time for the injury to heal and a few days for the bleeding to stop... Which will be the time when he has to leave Pigero and the other children.

He pushed the thought out from his mind, forcing himself to focus on his allies who came and helped him.

"Oooooaaarrrr hurrrr~r~r~r~r~r" *Puuurrrrrr* Click~click~click Gratitude. Appreciate assistance. Eternal thanks.

The leader of the sabertooth tigers, Autumn Fur, nuzzled against the boy.

*Rrrrrrrummmmbllleeee* "Oooooaaaarrrrr…" Ours Cub us us us Cub us ours ours Cub Cub ours us

When the feline pulled away, the head of the giant-hawks bent his mighty head down and laid it against the child's chest.

"Urrrrreee…" Click~click~click "Eeeeerrr!" Youngling aid, assisted, helped us. Saved both our Younglings, fellow flock members, even us…! Willingly aid Shadowmere, Earth Young. He pulled his head away from the boy, red-eyes staring into Onyx-eyes. Life Debt paid, complete by both party.

Gohan didn't care if they never returned the favor for saving their loved ones or even themselves, but is glad they came when he needed them to be there for him. And now that the debt has been paid, they will be leaving the very moment their meeting is adjourned... Or, that's what he thought, until Autumn Fur got in front of the hawk to regain the boy's attention, with shocking news he never thought to hear.

"Rrrrrawlll...! Ooooarrrrr, hmmmmm rrrrraaahhh." *Rrrrrrrummmmblllleee...* All stay stay train stay all train youngs train train train youngs teach youngs train train teach all yours all all teach stay.

Them, wild predators, willingly made the decision to stay with Pigero and the orphans, all without discussing with him or even asking his own opinion about them...? It's quite fascinating news to the boy, while not too much shock to why they all decide to stay; with no scent of an adult to indicate any sires or mature relatives to properly care for them and most likely the hawks informing the sabertooth tigers of the children they rescued from Man, their paternal and maternal instincts are going into overdrive for them to not leave the children without at least teaching them to survive in the wild... Just as they did with Gohan, though their training would possibly not be as difficult as his own training was.

Still, knowing when he leaves his human pack behind for his training, they'll be under the protection from some of his extended animal clan and learning new ways to make a life for themselves. They may never go through the changes he went through, but at least they'll be acknowledged as Earth Young than humans. And with the new additions to their family, will increase Earth gaining new guardians to keep the peace for all life. Until that day comes in a few days, thanks to his strong healing factor from his dominate trait, he'll be helping the new comers to adapt to their newfound freedom and assisting Pigero to teach them how to find their roles for their Independence. Surely then, Pigero will be ready to fully be leader when he leaves.

---

October Twelfth, Midday...
"You're leaving?!"

A nervous sweat drop dragged down behind his head, along with the sabertooth tigers and giant-hawks doing the same from the children's outburst. It shouldn't be that much of a surprising response to gain, but then Gohan thought they would put on a brave face and learn to support his decision-making when he's merely an Honorary Member Orphan and can't stay in a pack that isn't his to call his own. Seems his expectation was too much to ask for and will surely make it harder for them to see him off, when he saved them from the life of enslavement and war with people who never cared for children in the first place.

Pigero, as well as the older children around his age, tried to look calm but the toddler can easily see he isn't too happy for his sudden choice to leave. Rom, Jinku, Hacchi, Yoron and Ena are fighting back tears, while Chico and herself to cry.

"Why are you leaving us?!" She cried, hugging tightly to her brother.

A nine year-old tiger-boy spoke out in her place.

"Yeah, what gives?! We're free from the Home! We can start a happy life without any fear of the grown ups coming for us, all thanks to you! Why you going away? And don't say because you're not an actual orphan like us; you made it clear they never acted like a mom and dad should, and don't view them as your parent anymore! So...?"

He still haven't told anybody about the Saiyans coming to Earth, and has no intention to tell them anything about his heritage that he doesn't fully understand or know about. Avoiding the question, or even telling them it's personal, won't satisfy any of the kids and could damage the trust and bond he shares with them. However, he just doesn't know how to tell them that he has to go, with no explanation whatsoever.

Apparently, though, one of them did.

"You just have to, don't you?" Pigero figured it out on his own and is accepting the unfortunate truth that the toddler can't permanently stay with them, even when he claimed this destroyed town and the orphans his home.

The Saiyan-hybrid silently nodded his head, his eyes flashing with appreciation for answering his uneasy answer to them in his place.

The oldest-boy let out a deep sigh, rubbing the back of his head and looking uncertain of Gohan's decision to leave. He looked out over to the sea food a brief moment, the wind blowing against his face, then turned back to the three year-old... And smiled, with tears flowing in the wind.

"If this is what you need to do, then you can go." His support for Gohan's choice stunned everyone, even said child and the animals. Pigero didn't break his eye contact with the toddler, even as he explains himself. "He always had our best interest when it comes to caring for us at the best of his ability, even when he nor any of us wants to do it." -half of the children had small smiles on their faces from how much Pigero's words are true, mostly thinking how much of drill sergeant Gohan acts when whipping them into shape or getting back at them for slacking off.- "Besides, we can't stop him from leaving, so long he'll come by and visits us."

In response to prove the oldest-boy's being true, with a smile of gratitude on his face, Gohan bit down on his right-hand until blood surfaced from the wound, extending his bleeding hand out for Pigero to draw blood from his own right-hand and grasping the two hands together.

"Blood-Oath, swear... Promise." While the animals approved of his display to keep his word and promise to Pigero, most of the children didn't understand why they would purposely injure themselves and grab each other's wounded hands with their own bleeding hands. In due time, they'll learn how important a blood-oath of merging blood with an ally and/or pack-mate to cement a promise that should never be broken really is.

The moment they tore their hands away, the oldest-boy swiftly pulled the Saiyan-hybrid into a bone crushing hug, slightly startling the three year-old for a moment before he returned the gesture. Then, almost at once, the rest of the orphans came to the two and enveloped them in one of the biggest group hugs either ever received in their entire life. The hugging still confuses the felines and birds, but had gather enough information to learn that it's a human-version for displaying affection and used as a comfort mechanism.

The warmth surrounding his entire being made Gohan able to feel the love coursing... Which, temporarily, brought a feeling of sorrow to not be able to get this feeling with his parents. Goku, obviously, gives the best hugs but the hug would at times not last long and the warm feeling wouldn't linger for very long when isolated in his own room when studying. And Chi-Chi's hugs... There wasn't much to say about her embrace; always cold, suffocating, very short and rarely gets them unless for praises from getting perfect scores on his tests or after some scary incident that has him more indoors.

He wish to remain in the warmth forever, for it to erase the cold, empty embrace of his mother's. But knows he mustn't delay his departure any longer than he has allowed it to, and will surely have his brain gain a migraine from the voice that guides him through his training.

That's right, Runt. Wrap up this 'lovey-dovey' moment already, and let's get a move on. We're waisting valuable time the longer this go on.

A low moan vibrated in his chest in protest, but got himself to pat Pigero's back to signal the end for their group hug moment. When they pulled themselves away from Gohan, the boy made his way for Autumn Fur and the leader of the giant-hawks, Wind Talon. He held both their heads in each of his hands, staring deep into their eyes.

"Guide, protect... bond, embrace as ours... Earth Young." Both didn't make much of a response, but he knew they'll do what he requested. The hawks, however, may leave should the rain and snow make the area incapable for them to live through the cold season.

Wind Talon lifted his head over the boy, pulling him up against his chest for a brief moment.

"Aaaauuurrr~r~r~r~r..." Survive, live and may the Sisters... May Almighty, himself, guide you to your next destination.

Once released, Gohan did what he finally gets to do: With one, last glance to his human pack, he pulled the top of his wolf-pelt over his head and got down in all-four. And, immediately, took off as fast as his limbs can carry him. As he made his way down the hill, he can hear the call of the orphans through the rushing wind.

"Goodbye, Gohan!"

"Be careful out there, little brother!"

"You better come by and visit soon, you hear?!"

A wolfish-smile played on his face as he followed the cracked road until he had to jump over the enlarged hole, continuing down the road when he can finally see the forest and a large hill. He knows his next destination will be as far away from human civilization as possible, and must see as much of his surroundings to find where he must go.

In minutes, he climbed the highest tree of the hill and see a vast sight of a large forest before him. With eyes like hawks, his vision can see no sign of a city anywhere near the area and the status of the trees showed high possibility of fruits and vegetation to last for a good while before the cold fully takes place.

Just as he positioned himself to drop out of the tree, something caught his attention. Right behind a hill a little over two miles radius from his current location, a faint trail of smoke rose in the air. Gohan knows when fire gives itself away, but the smoke is too calm and small to be a forest fire. His gut tells him he knows where that fire's coming from... And immediately, his anger spiked up when the presence of his human-blood built up a headache.

Home! It's our home...!

His past, the life he left far behind him... Where a piece of him still yearns for three safety and protection of his father, and where she, his human-mother, is awaiting for his return to fulfill her dreams of him becoming successful in life and financially supporting her through the rest of her days. Gohan felt nauseous, but knows he can't get rid of those thoughts so easily than he thought he could. So long the memories of the past keep making their presence known in his mind, he'll never truly be free from the ties he has with his first home.

...He now knows what he must do.

Over Half an Hour Later...
The bamboos, so tall and thick, would get anybody lost in a maze when trap in a forest of them. Well, anybody whose never lived in the forest or even experience getting lost within the bamboos before. Gohan recalls many times he would find himself lost within the bamboos when thinking he saw his dad and ends up lost from the trail until he hears one of his parents calling out his name.

And now, thanks to his training on tracking and memorizing certain parts of the thick forest of bamboos, he easily reached to his destination… His old home, the Son Household. Just as he expected, the light-smoke he saw is indeed coming from the house, Chi-chi most likely preparing supper… A supper made for only one, unless she anticipated for her son to find his way back home to her and will easily make supper for two.

He isn't certain if she even knows that her husband is dead at the moment, but she worries very little of Goku's whereabouts and doesn't really keep track on when he returns from his training. Even if they were to run low on food, all she has to do is make a call for her father and Ox King will either give them money to survive on, or both she and Gohan will stay over at his palace for a certain amount of time. His gut feeling tells him she knows, but is more concerned to where he was at and how far he'll fall from how much schoolwork he'll be doing in order to catch up.

There's your home! Mommy's waiting for us, where we'll be safe!

~Rrrrrruuuuuummmmmbllllleeeeee~

His human-blood proves more and more how pathetic and dependent it's making him be of his mother, despite that it may also be the fault of his age. Still, if it actually think he's going to crawl back to his mother and let all the hard work and effort he and the animals put in to turn him into a strong, independent child? It's so dead wrong and is so, so lucky he doesn't kill it, himself, for being a part of his existence and not an actual being he can pull out of his body.

From afar distance, he can faintly see a figure through the window. The window of his own bedroom… No doubt, it's his human-mother, cleaning or purposely poking her nose to view the process of his schoolwork she put him through.

She'll never let harm come to us, again! So long we stay within the house, work extra hard on our schoolwork and never leave her side!

That was the final straw.

*Snnnnnarrrrrllllll!* Wrong! False! Incorrect!

The pulsing against his brain signaled his human-blood knows what he's going to do and will try to force him to comply.

Daddy can handle this! He doesn't need our help, and Piccolo is a cruel monster, just as Mom and Daddy told us!

"Uuuuuuuurrrrrrrr…!" Alone, can't handle, fight more than single, one fighter! Comrades, pack-mates, assistance, increase chance for survival! He glared through the feminine-figure in his room, sitting at his desk as if waiting for somebody to come into the room with her at any moment. *Hissssssssss* "Huuuaaaarrrrr…" No future with her… Can't have, not allowed, any future with her. Nothing changes, none for good. She controls, demands how everything should become in her vision, eyes.

SHE'S STILL OUR MOM!

He slammed his hands into the ground.

"HUUURRRAAAAAHHHHH!" No longer mine… Never been mother, let alone yours!

Instantly, he shifted his body away from Son Household and, without looking back, took off into a burst of speed back through the bamboo forest. The migraine took its course the farther he pushed himself to run as far away as he could from his past. She most likely heard his roar, but would be too far away for her to try and find him. Besides, releasing his call and turning his back to the den that was once his, is renouncing his claim as his way of life and will never return to the past.

NO! MOM! DADDY!

The pounding in his head grew, then, almost immediately, it went away without warning. When it went away and feels he's as a good distance away from Mount Paozu, forced his body to stop running, finding himself in a small flower-field. Gohan heaved out puff of breath, thankful he traveled by all-fours and his arms preventing him from falling to the ground. His human-blood still pulsed out its existence, but can feel his Saiyan-blood helping by pushing the pulses from triggering a migraine and could very well be curbing his weaker blood from taking over through fear and guilt.

When will that weakling learn to stop meddling into other people's business, and interfering in the life they choose to lead?

Gohan shook his head, as if silently answering his dominate blood, "never." His Onyx-black eyes flashed exhaustion from fighting with his blood over and over again, but forced himself to push the tiredness aside.

'Pack witness, experience similar problem,' he told himself. 'Whether fact or false, must push forward. Ignore, pass through all distraction from task.'

He stared up at the sky, the wind tousled his wolf-pelt until it succeeded at pushing the top of the pelt off his face and ruffles his mane-like hair… Where he then felt a prescience come up beside him, above him to be precise. He shifted himself to face the newcomer that dares to try and sneak up on him, and when he saw who it was… His mind was racing, his limbs trembled and his eyes widen in disbelief.

Standing over him, is the very being who put him through this Hell. The person who abandoned him and haunts him in his nightmares long ago, thanks to the influence of his parents describing the person in their own point of view... The one who made him see a whole new view of the world, and give him the strength to make his own choices: Daimou Piccolo Jr., sworn enemy to Son Goku.

He ceased his warning growl and lowered his lips to stop baring them, staring up in awe and confusion. Is this Earth, Fate and Life's doing? Has he truly completed his survival training? Is it actually time for him to go with Piccolo, and begin the next level of his training?

He didn't know why, but he can tell that it hasn't been six months since they last saw each other, just as the green-adult told him how long he had to survive on his own. Perhaps, something came up and decided to come get the boy earlier than he planned to.

"What is your mission, Gohan?" His voice is just as Gohan remembered, demanding and no sign of fear nor compassion... In the eyes of the animals, and now in the eyes of the three year-old Saiyan-hybrid, he is an Alpha. An alpha that chose the life of a Lone Life, but will lead others to increase their chances of survival, whether his intentions are for good or evil. "Speak!"

Gohan still doesn't like him, but, duty-bound that Piccolo is his alpha and accepting the fact he basically saved him from himself, he will respect him and will do as he tells him to do... Though, talking still irritates his throat and would be a lot easier to speak as all Earth Young do, but clearly the adult doesn't speak in that language or hear Earth Young like he has.

Well, as the alpha commands, Gohan shall speak in the tongue he can understand in.

"Prepare... Fight... Survive... Surpass... Life." Something flashed within Piccolo's gaze that instantly went away, but the toddler didn't bother to ponder about it for very long. He answered his question right, true from the bottom of his heart and sworn devotion as a Protector of Peace.

"..." Piccolo's stoic expression didn't change, but his next choice of words held something that his previous words didn't... Pride. "...Let's go back."

TBC

---

Originally, Gohan's time with the orphans was going to be in a single chapter, but I thought it would be better for it to being two chapters.

*: Though Dragon Ball is (obviously) a Japanese Anime, I actually see a bit more evidence of some of the characters and other moments being more Chinese… Chi-Chi, I believe, is Chinese. However, wether that claim is true or not, in my story, she's half-Chinese (from her mother's side) and half-Japanese (from her father's side, Ox-King). The tradition Gohan's referring to is what Japan believe to do with their baby tooth.

*: Does anybody know what happened to Gohan's sword? Last I saw it, he still had it with him when training work Piccolo, but he never used it again since Piccolo got him back.

*: Yes people, Pigero wanted to swear, but didn't want the other kids to copy whatever swear words he would say in front of them. He also doesn't want the adults to use his choice of words to make a point of it being negative influence on the other orphans.

R&R