:-:Heir:-:

Thank you all for your patience. I am not dead, though Life certainly has been trying.
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X-xChapter 9: STEPSx-X

There was another level before reaching the top.

And there were habitants there.

"Who lives below the Lookout?" she asked Mr. Popo as Goku worked with Chichi in decorating a small room that Serenity would occupy. Vegeta had wandered off elsewhere, Bulma setting up some sort of technology in another room. Dende and Piccolo had left the group to talk with Gohan a little bit more. That intrigued her, but was not enough to keep her curiosity.

The beings she had seen on the way up did.

"You saw Korin and Yajirobe?"

"Is that them?" Serenity asked, her eyes widening in curiosity. Mr. Popo nodded, placing a tray of food before the child. She quickly took hold of some of the strawberries, deeming them a favorite. "Can I meet them? Can I talk to them?"

"Why would you want to do that?"

"Why not?"

"You don't need to talk to them," another voice intruded. Serenity frowned, looking to the ground before turning and looking up at Dende. He smiled down at her, though she could see the nervousness in his eyes as he knelt down. "They like to be left alone."

"Are they warriors?" she asked. She was sure she had seen a sword on one of the silhouettes.

"Erm, not really…"

"Then why are they up here?"

"It is their home. Why should they not be there?"

"But why can't I go and-"

"It's none of your business," cut in a strict voice. She didn't need to look to see who it was that spoke. Instead, she turned and walked towards a source of comfort.

"No, I think it should go there, Chichi. Hm? Hey, Serenity. Are you excited too?" Goku grinned, picking up the child that had tugged at his pant leg. She hesitated before simply looking at the place that would be her room.

Piccolo was scary….

'It's not fair….'

'They are only taking precautions'

Serenity turned in her bed, clutching the blanket closer. She curled into a small ball, hair around her face as her eyes stared at the blank wall. There was nothing physical to comfort her. There were no steady beeping sounds. No dimming lights creating faceless shadows. There were no night sounds apart from the wind passing through. But it was outside, on the other side of the closed window. Dende had closed the window on Gohan's orders. She snuggled deeper into her position.

No doubt they'd done it to secure her. The window was much too high for her. The only means of opening it was in flying up, but since she couldn't exactly do that, the closed window was a stupid idea. She scowled at nothing.

Were they mocking her?

'They are just being cautious'

'It's still not fair.'

She sighed irritably, turning in the bed. The cooler side of the pillow offered her some relief, but it soon enough turned warm and she was back to thinking. The dreadful action. Groaning, she sat up. Her gaze fell upon the dark floor and a wave of nausea hit her. There should have been a square of light on the floor. It should have illuminated the room just a little. The moonlight should have been shining.

But they had destroyed the celestial object.

Idly, she wondered if it was possible to bring back the destroyed moon. What would be necessary for such a thing? Would she have to have amazing powers? Most likely, she argued with herself, crossing her arms. The moon was essentially made of rock. She would have to gather a lot of materials. Not only that, but she wasn't sure if she could even survive in space. Whenever she had been in space, she had been enclosed by a suit that protected her. She didn't have that here.

She frowned. All she had at this point was her desire to see something familiar. Anything to cast away the loneliness she was feeling.

'Mommy….'

Silence was her only companion, choking her instead of embracing. Terra had no way to comfort her. What could Terra do? Small hands reached up to wipe away treacherous tears. No way would she let Dende see their markings in the morning. That would mean that they had won. And damn it, she was the daughter of a Legend! It would not do to be so…weak. She had to be stronger. She had to prove it. She wasn't just a child. She wasn't. She was…she was…

scared

Finally breaking into sobs, she clasped her night shirt tightly. There was nothing else she could reach for. No one was at her side, waiting to grab her hand and soothe her. No body of warmth was there to offer protection. This time, she was alone. The reality was hard to face. She turned her face to the pillow, ashamed to be crying so pathetically.

'It will be all right, Daughter… I will take care of you'

Serenity turned her head a little, feeling rather than seeing the various lights first. She blinked the oncoming tears away, quieting her sobs as she looked to the wall once more. While a few more tears escaped, her eyes were fixed on the brilliance that had overcome the simple wall.

Pitch black, it now hosted a view of the universe, galaxies swirling at a slow pace, stars mere points, shining brightly as if wanting to be seen no matter how small. It was a close representation of the real thing. So close, it reminded her of times when Luna had held her as they flew through space, Regulus commanding the armada. Oddly enough, it was soothing.

Sighing, Serenity lay back down, staring at the wall. Perhaps it was the sheer tiredness or calming effect of the celestial image; but, when Mr. Popo peeked in to see the child, he could only see the outline of a sleeping angel.

Mr. Popo had watched over many children while at the Look Out.

It was a little pastime of his as he walked around the Lookout tending to the plants. He would see the way in which parents dealt with crabby kids and with amusing situations that the small ones created. He'd seen the way some kids would throw tantrums, how they would scream and cry and only calm down when given what they wanted. He liked to think he was very good at dealing with such situations after seeing them so often.

He stopped the sweeping motions, a smile on his face.

Just a little away, the little girl they had taken in was resting. A look at the sun told him it was getting near to nine in the morning. Perhaps it was time to finally awaken her. Mr. Popo hummed to himself as he neatly placed the broom to the side, dusting off any unwanted attachments to his clothing before heading down the hallway. He was quite anxious to talk to the child.

"Good morning, Serenity," he spoke cheerfully, opening the door a tad. "It's time to wake up."

He expected the child to be in bed, sleeping soundly. From his observations, children liked to sleep in after a stressful day. It was why he had asked to allow her such a privilege. Piccolo was against it immediately. He argued it was not becoming to let the child be too comfortable, nor was it in their best interest to develop any sort of bond with her.

"Why not?" Mr. Popo had asked.

"We might have to kill her."

"You are…"

He was shaken from his memory. He looked down, matching the girl's stare with his own. Immediately, he felt something was wrong. He wasn't sure it was the temperature in the room or the way the child looked that tipped him off. What he knew was that he needed to grab and keep the child away from such a monstrous ambiance. So he did.

She had just stared at the way the pictured moved against the wall. Terra continued to whisper to her, showing her the beauty of a super nova, the delicate balance a black hole held, the supremacy of a gas cloud giving birth to new stars. She watched as the universe played out in front of her, casting the room in a dark glow.

Entranced, she allowed her mind to simply lose itself – to forget the loneliness to which she had woken up to. While she saw life, she could abandon hers, if only for a little while. She could use her imagination, pretend she was a powerful angel – watching over the universe. She was almost surprised at the intensity of the feeling. Her hand reached out to the image in front of her. She wanted to touch it, to feel the cold of space, to be there to protect it and caress it like no one did to her. She would be the protector. She would be able to protect this time. She could.

The image dispelled as her fingers came too close. Her eyes showed surprise, shifting to a sudden sadness, a longing. An all too familiar feeling.

'Daughter…'

There was no time for Terra to offer any consolation. Serenity lowered her hand, turning her gaze to the floor beneath her as she heard the door open and the cheerful voice talk to her. Her bed was made, she was dressed properly and she had done her best to comb her hair. She admitted: it was highly likely her hair could be done better. Regardless, she didn't expect to be yelled at too much. Certainly she did well. Surely the person outside would see that and allow her to eat.

Speaking of the person…. Serenity raised her head a little, noticing the being – Mr. Popo, she recalled – was simply standing in the gap he had created, not looking at her. Curious, having rarely seen an adult so lost in trance, the child stepped closer, her eyes taking in all the details she could get. His eyes were not focused. In fact, did it look like he was…sad?

"You are…," she began, her eyes narrowing as she tried to understand why the fear had briefly flashed through his eyes. It was then that Mr. Popo took notice of her, his stance becoming frightened. She scowled at him, wondering why he was being so odd, why Terra had become so silent, a vibe of anger ringing through the air. Serenity was about to turn to see where the anger was coming from – it was important she know to counter – when Mr. Popo took hold of her arm and pulled her out of the room.

What should he do now?

Mr. Popo stopped his watering, looking to the left for the umpteenth time. There, right at the end of the Outlook, was a little body, legs dangling over the sharp edge, eyes looking down. The golden tresses were loosely placed into a ponytail, various strands framing her face. No sound had escaped the child's mouth apart from a brief 'thank you' after a small breakfast. Serenity offered no chance in which to talk or even interact with. It was as if she was trying to remain closed off. It was certainly a strange turn after she had been so amiable the day before. Mr. Popo frowned. Had she perhaps picked up on the thought that they would…?

"Mr. Popo?"

It seemed he was always getting interrupted. The caretaker turned to face Dende. Serenity offered no change in her position, gave no hint that she was aware of the discussion that was about to take place. Dende took a look to where the new member of the Lookout was, a smile crawling across his face before perishing. Piccolo had appeared, scowl in place. It would not help matters if he saw such a smile.

"Good morning, Dende," Mr. Popo greeted, "Good morning, Piccolo."

They were talking again.

It wasn't loud, but the feeling in the air and Terra's sudden silence was enough to alert her of the subject. She looked to the right, focusing on the cloud that looked strangely familiar. It was her they were talking about. Didn't they have other things to worry about? Like the notion of this place falling down. That still bothered her. What if the skinny pole holding up the massive structure collapsed? They'd all fall down to their deaths, wouldn't they?

She shuddered at that. She didn't want to die like that.

Serenity sighed, finally looking away from the world below. There had been some interesting things to view, but after a while it seemed to just repeat itself. Was this planet full of people that did not learn from their mistakes? Were the people content with making the same mistakes over and over again? What a sorry state of living.

The child moved to stand. The people could stay in an endless loop for all she cared. As for her, she was not going to be caught up in that cycle. She turned her back on the scene she had been watching and headed for a nearby plot of land. She'd seen Mr. Popo plant a new flower there and she was curious to see how he had done it.

"Mo~m! Gohan's being mean!"

"That's enough out of you two," the strict mother called out as she whipped up a batch of scrambled eggs for her hungry family. This was the only dish left to finish. She had the table set up with a general layout of breakfast foods finished with two pitchers of milk and orange juice. Her husband was waking up in their bedroom, her two sons already on their way to the table. She had just a few more seconds…

Chichi turned off the stove, flipped the pan's contents onto a large plate and set it down in the middle, a triumphant smile on her face as Gohan and Goten walked in. The younger boy laughed in delight, scrambling to get on his chair and pile on food on his plate. Gohan laughed at his younger brother's action, hugging his mother good morning before sitting next to Goten. Goku, yawning, came in soon after Chichi scolded Goten for grabbing too much bacon.

"Hm! It smells delicious!" the warrior exclaimed, kissing his wife cheerfully. Chichi smirked, serving him breakfast.

"Of course it does. I did it, didn't I?"

"Yup! And Mom has the best cooking!" Goten declared. "Any kid would like you for a mom!"

Chichi began to laugh at the compliment, but as she turned to begin washing the pots and pans, her eyes wandered to the blue sky outside her window. Her motherly instinct kicked in. Up there, in that seemingly endless blue sky, was a small child devoid of a mother. Here she was, happy with her family, able to hug her children and in the heavens…

There was no family for the one called Serenity.

It was not long ago that I was surrounded by others.

I was not always in this place, staring at a pool of water that shimmered with the twinkling lights.

This cold that creeps up into my very soul was not always so strong.

Sadness was not always in the back of my mind.

Rising to my feet, the thoughts continue to run through my head.

It is for good cause.

Very soon, I will have no reason to think on them again.

"My princess…."

I am coming

During the times that the Guardian and the Mentor were not around, he talked to her about mundane things. She fancied that he liked having someone to talk to, even if she didn't respond. Yet, as soon as Mr. Popo noticed Dende or Piccolo coming near, he would abruptly stop and continue on with the chore he was doing. It really was a comical thing.

He was now chatting to her while she ate, the bowl of rice held in her left hand and the chopsticks in her right. It had quickly become a habit for Serenity to turn to her imagination and pretend she was wielding a wand instead of two wooden chopsticks that changed the rice to whatever she wanted. Waving her pretend wand around the rice, ignoring Mr. Popo's talk of education, she imagined the rice became water to cure her of the thirst she had.

"Eh?"

Drops of water spilled onto her clothing. Baffled, Serenity looked to her red bowl and sucked in air as she noticed the rice had changed shape and become clear water. Her breathing picked up as she inspected her chopsticks. Could it be…was it that she wasn't pretending and that the chopsticks really did hold power? She was about to wave her makeshift wand again when Terra's chiming laughter stopped her.

'Did you see, Terra? It turned to water!'

'Daughter, it is not the doing of the chopsticks'

'But it changed!'

'Yes, it did so because you wished it'

'What do you mean? I can't do that.'

She was quite sure of that fact. Regulus had wanted to experiment completely on her powers. One of the experiments consisted of her shifting elements. Needless to say, she had failed miserably. How could it be, then, that she had transformed the rice?

'I have told you various times, Daughter. I will provide for you whatever you wish for'

'…it was your doing, Terra?'

'Yes and no'

'I don't understand.'

'Your wish I heard and used a mixture of my power and yours to create your drink'

It was still confusing, but she supposed it was understandable…somehow. Serenity peered at her bowl and blinked twice. "My water?"

'Look forward, Daughter'

A tad upset that the magical act had ended, she nevertheless raised her head and found Mr. Popo staring at her. The Guardian stood next to him. Immediately, the child looked around for signs of the Mentor. If he had seen anything, she knew it would be bad. When her frantic search turned up with nothing, she let out a sigh of relief and began to chide herself. In not paying attention to the good natured Mr. Popo, she had failed to realize when he had stopped talking. Had she noticed that, it would have been easy to simply stop anything from happening.

He'd walked up to Mr. Popo, hoping to get his opinion on a lecture he had just recently finished reading. After looking for him in the kitchens, Dende turned to the far end of the Lookout, finally seeing the top of the man's hat. He had witnessed the strange deed she had done. Had she used some sort of power similar to what Gohan and the rest did, he would have been alarmed. However, what she occurred before his eyes was completely unexpected.

It frightened him. Such a unique ability was more than enough reason to worry. Gohan was right. Dende took a step back, his eyes not leaving the scene. He had to inform Gohan as soon as possible. This child could be far more dangerous than she looked, than was thought.

What a fool he had been to doubt.

Of course, she would go anywhere to see her princess. If she had to, she would travel through the very fields of Chaos, if only to see her for a mere second.

As luck would have it, she did not need to do such a thing. She only had to travel much farther than previously thought. Regardless, she pressed on. Her duty was a sacred one – she could not fail. The princess was already past her eight years of life. Prophecy spoke of the princess suffering much loss, but it did not indicate when in the child's life it would take place. More than likely, the infant had probably suffered some loss already.

The young woman shook her head. It would not do to ponder such worrisome thoughts. It was time to smile. The blue sphere looming closer looked peaceful, welcoming. This was a good planet, made much more special by the fact that it hosted the infant.

'Just a little more….'

"Why can't we see her?"

"Is she sick again?"

The problem with kids, Gohan decided, was that they didn't understand what was best for them. Rubbing his head in a manner he hoped would lessen his headache, he addressed the two boys.

"I thought you didn't like girls because they have cooties?"

"She's a Saiyan, Gohan. We don't have cooties," Trunks scoffed superiorly, looking at the older youth as if he was asking if chocolate cake was good.

Now that was news.

"How did you two-?"

"We're kids, not stupid," the little Prince continued. "And I can read mom's reports."

Of course. As the questions began again, Gohan made a note to alert Bulma of it being high time she learned to hide things from her son. Goten wasn't normally this defiant, but coupled with Trunks….

"Look, that girl is to be left alone. No buts! If you two behave, maybe, maybe I'll ask Dende if you can visit her sometime. Leave your mom's stuff alone, Trunks, or deal's off. Got it?" He waited until the two bobbed their heads quickly. "Good. Now go away, kids."

The two small ones did well on their side of the bargain. Unfortunately, after a little chat with Dende, Gohan was unable to keep his word.

The problem, he explained, was that she was a mystery. There were times in the past in which they had been welcoming to a being similar to her only to have their kindness repaid with a fight? Did they not remember Tapion? Supreme Kai? Worst of all – and he never wanted to go through such an experience again – Paragus and his son, Broly? He saw the winces at that and pressed on. What if Serenity was just like that?

"She's just a child, Gohan."

"A kid with strange powers, Mom. You don't just let a strong person – let alone a kid – wander around on their own."

"What are you saying?" Gohan inhaled, turning around to face the window. He looked out, noticing the pouring rain that had started hours before. His mind provided various images of the worst case scenarios he had thought off.

"I'm saying that there's no way I can believe she's on her own." He noticed his father frowning in the reflection, Chichi grasping her husband's hand. "Piccolo is looking after Serenity right now, but I don't think he'll be strong enough for whatever or whomever comes to pick her up." He crossed his arms, scowling. He didn't like the thought of his mentor facing a potentially stronger enemy, but it was all he could do while they figured something out. He knew his dad and Vegeta would be hesitant to hurt Serenity or place her in an even more isolated location; Goku because he had grown fond of the girl and Vegeta simply because she was the only female of the race. The only solution he could come up with that would keep Serenity isolated and under a watchful gaze….

"I think we should have her live nearer to us…. She should live with us."

They were acting as if one look from her would cause them pain on an unbearable level. At least, that was what she imagined the reason to be for why they steadfastly refused to do so much as peek in her direction.

A bit silly, really.

If she had wanted to harm anyone in any way, she would have already done something. Then again, Serenity backtracked, doing any kind of attack would be stupid on her part. She didn't like it, but the Namekian was strong. If he wanted – and she was certain she'd seen a hint of the desire in his eyes – he could inflict pain. The child scowled. It wasn't as if she were completely defenseless. She probably could outrun him for a little bit, but the end result would be the same no matter what.

Instead of being foolish and heading straight to her own world of pain, she kept quiet.

Terra was still with her, after all. With the star freely talking and encouraging her, Serenity was able to content herself with learning a little more of the place she would have to reside in. Home, the star would stress constantly, this was home, not just any other place. The child simply hardened her eyes.

If her mother and father were not at her side, then she was not home.

'Don't forget it, Terra.'

She wasn't sure what it was that had caused her to change direction and head towards his house.

Perhaps it was his attitude the previous weeks, the way he constantly frowned and looked around, as if waiting for something to jump out with the intent to dismantle everything in the most painful of ways. Or it could just be her loneliness suddenly rearing its ugly head.

She preferred the first reason.

Either way, Videl Satan found herself standing in front of Gohan's house, cursing her curiosity – because that was what it all boiled down to: wanting to know what was making the usually rational youth act so…twitchy.

Resigning herself to what was to come – questions of why she was there, would she stay for dinner, was her father still an idiot? – Videl reached up to knock.

"We're not going anywhere, Goten! Just stay here and don't move. For the love of all that's holy, don't move!"

She heard a loud crash, a few curse words and the beginnings of a rant. The ebony haired youth took a step back. Maybe it would be wise to leave…. The thought was further enforced when she heard the unmistakable cries of one Son Goten. That tantrum was never something that she would voluntarily try to help in control. Little as he might be, the kid was strong.

"Videl?"

Shit, she had been too slow.

"Hey, Gohan. Is everything ok?" Cue mental wince.

"Yeah, Goten's just being a little troublesome," scowled the taller youth. He looked over his shoulder before shutting the door behind him. "What are you doing way out here?" he continued, walking a little away from the house. She moved with him, casting one last look at the seemingly innocent door.

"I just wanted to come see if anything new happened," she finally answered, stepping over a puddle. It probably had rained the night before. "You haven't said anything in a while."

"We have to make changes," Gohan relented after a few minutes of silence. He sighed and crossed his arms. "I can't leave her with Piccolo when she's a threat."

"What are you going to do? Did you tell your dad about the theory of her being-?"

"No," he cut her off. "I'm keeping that a theory strictly between us until I find more information. What I do now is that she's going to be coming to live with my family."

"What?"

"You know the old saying, Videl. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."

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