When Ox finally caught up with Chi-Chi at her home, his daughter had already changed out of her usual ladylike dress, into riding pants, a blouse and jacket that fit her shape and left room for her to move well and access the guns in the holster slung around her hips. She probably hadn't slept a wink. She was packing a leather satchel with her basics, but more importantly with some heavy artillery she'd taken the time to retrieve. Ox's eyes widened briefly at the sight of the packed camel brown bag, before Chi-Chi secured it shut and slung it over her shoulder.

Her eyes lit on Ox when she placed a brown Stetson on her head and turned around. "Dad, stay out of my way!"

"Chi-Chi," Ox gasped and followed hurriedly after Chi-Chi as she stormed towards the front door, "what are you doing? I don't understand!"

As her father grasped her arm, Chi-Chi spun around and glared with determination. Her little boy could be attacked or killed at any moment, out there with all those killers. He was barely five years old. He still has his whole life ahead of him, and Chi-Chi would never forgive herself if something happened while she was safely tucked away at home.

"Dad, Gohan's in danger. I have to leave!"

Ox tightened his grip around her arm when Chi-Chi tried to go. "But you said Goku's out there, too. He can take care of him."

"No!" Chi-Chi shook her head, frustrated. "You don't understand."

"So help me understand. Please." Ox slowly led Chi-Chi to her tiny kitchen table and sat her down as her resistance weakened with a solemn frown. "Let's have a cup of tea, and you tell me everything, and then I'll let you go if you really have to."

Chi-Chi frowned down at the table, feeling the need to run immediately, but also recalling the way her father had so easily held her back. He wasn't even trying yet, either. She glanced towards the door, considering making a run for it, but then realized her huge father had conveniently positioned himself closer to the narrow passage of the exit, so the idea of escape wasn't feasible. Struggling was only going to waste the valuable time she didn't have, and she supposed her father shouldn't be kept in the dark about the truth any longer, especially if anything should happen to her and she wouldn't make it back.

Narrowing her eyes suspiciously, Chi-Chi looked away from the carved wooden door at the front of her home to meet her father's gaze. "You promise you won't stop me?"

Ox's whiskers spread as he smiled sadly. "I won't stop you from walking out that door if you have to."

Ox turned to the stove, lighting the flame and heating the metal tea kettle that always sat there, ready for tea. He was relieved Chi-Chi was calming down. Maybe now he'd have the chance to keep his daughter safe.

Chi-Chi sighed and hung her hat on the back of her chair. "Gohan isn't just in danger because he's out in the woods with those thugs, Dad."

Ox raised his brows as he collected a canister of tea leaf grindings from the upper oak cabinet. "Oh?"

"He's been in danger for the last few days, because he was kidnapped."

As he dropped the tea leaf grindings into two ceramic mugs, Ox gasped. "What? Kidnapped?"

"By a Saiyan."

Furrowing his brows at Chi-Chi's statement, while also narrowing his eyes at the tiny, concealed vial he discreetly pulled from his pocket and held above the teacups, Ox made a questioning grunt. "You're saying he's with the Saiyans? What about Goku? What about the fishing trip?"

As the tea kettle started to whistle and steam emerged from the metallic spout, Chi-Chi focused her gaze on the hypnotic, rising steam and sighed, leaning forward in her chair. "Goku's with them, Dad. Unless," Chi-Chi scratched at the dark hair tucked behind her ear and turned away with a grimace as her father delivered the aromatic, steaming teacups to the table, "unless Gohan might still be with Piccolo."

Ox's eyes widened as he sat down and blew on his scalding hot, steaming teacup and then nodded towards Chi-Chi to do the same. "Piccolo Daimao?"

Chi-Chi absently nodded and sipped the burning, bitter hot tea, hissing and grimacing as a drip fell from her lip burnt by the scorching liquid. The surge of pain was eye-opening. What was she doing sitting here? Gohan could be hurt. He could need her. And she was just sitting here.

Chi-Chi shook her head fervently and thumped the teacup on the table. "I can't, Dad. I have to save him."

"Wait!" Ox placed a stilling hand on Chi-Chi's fingers still tightly curled around the handle of her mug before she could stand. "You don't even know who you're looking for, Honey! And do you honestly think you have any chance of tracking down Piccolo Daimao? Or bandits who've been navigating their way through wilderness for years? If you're going to help Goku and Gohan, you need a plan. Calm down and let's think this through."

"Okay." Chi-Chi rapped her fingers impatiently and tapped her foot against the thudding floorboard beneath her as she took another brusque sip of tea. "Goku is supposedly rescuing Gohan. But he already did his job for the Saiyans and they should've come back by now. Either the Ginyus found them or Goku never got Gohan back from Piccolo!"

Ox raised a bushy, dubious brow. "Job for the Saiyans?"

"And if they're not back by now," Chi-Chi took a large swig of her tea, ignoring the distasteful flavor of her father's bad brew as she glared over the rim at her father, "what do you suspect happened, huh? Goku failed somehow. Maybe someone killed him before he could get Gohan home safely."

At Chi-Chi's fearful grimace, Ox sympathetically shook his head. "Chi-Chi, honey, I'm not following you."

"There're more than enough people that want Goku dead. First Piccolo, then the Ginyus, now this Frieza guy." Chi-Chi scoffed and shook her head as she retrieved the hat from the back of her chair and placed it on her head.

Ox scratched his beard and watched his daughter carefully. "And the Saiyans?"

"No. They don't want him dead."

Seeing her father's resolve weaken as he processed all the new information in awe, Chi-Chi grasped the strap of her satchel laid across her lap and shot from her seat as she tossed it over her shoulder. "I don't care whether or not I have a plan. I have to go!"

"Chi-Chi!"

As Chi-Chi was already slamming the door open to reveal the outdoor soft haze of early morning light, her father couldn't chase her quickly enough. He wasn't going to stop Chi-Chi from leaving West City and saving her innocent son.

"Chi-Chi!" Ox stumbled after Chi-Chi through the wide-open door she hastily passed through. "At least let me come with you!"

Chi-Chi grunted as she glared straight ahead and made her way past the porch, past the blonde hussy gawking wantonly at her packed artillery, and trudged with her heavy boots through the muck on the street, towards the stables. "Only if you don't slow me down!"

Ox grimaced before his eyes fell upon the lovely Launch walking near Chi-Chi's home, in a basic white laced dress with an expanse of bosom popping for his eye to briefly admire. Then he hurriedly tipped his hat at her as he skipped past. He didn't have time to give the whore his attention now. He had a rowdy, determined daughter to catch up to, before something terrible might happen to her.

Pursing her lips in displeasure, Launch took a final glance over her shoulder at Mr. King chasing his determined daughter down the street. She couldn't imagine what was going on between them, but she had her own business to deal with. More accurately, it was Mr. Satan's business that she had to deal with. After the conversation she'd just had with Tien that early morning, she was realizing she needed to get back to the bawdry house. Some of the newcomers were already seeing the girls, and she didn't want to miss her chance to get some info on them for Tien.

When Launch's eyes landed on the weathered wooden boards framing the entry to Champ's, she immediately smiled at the sight of the young girl sitting on them, her pink frilly dress splayed across the boards as she played a game of jacks. At Launch's first step on a subtly creaking board, Videl snatched the red rubber ball from the air and snapped her head up to look Launch in the eyes.

Launch stepped towards her with a nod. "Hey, Videl. Don't you ever play anything inside, Darlin'?"

"What for?" Videl narrowed her blue eyes with a hell of a lot of bravado for a little girl sitting so low on the ground. "It's better than being in there."

Launch smirked. "You mean with the whores?"

"Launch!" A deep voice scolded from behind the closed bawdry house door.

After shooting a disapproving glare over her lithe little shoulder, Videl met Launch's gaze with her lip turned down in a frown. "I mean with those new men thinkin' they run my papa's place now."

"Launch!" The reprimand repeated from Mr. Satan as the front door flew open to reveal him looking at the prostitute on the porch with a furious glare. "Don't you use that word in front of my little girl!"

"What word?" Launch shrugged and stepped over the pointed tacks scattered around Videl. "I ain't said nothin' I shouldn't have."

Satan shouted after Launch as she strutted past him into the establishment. "Bullshit! Don't you think you can trick me! Oh! I'm sorry, Videl!"

As her father cringed and grimaced apologetically at her, Videl shrugged. "You don't need to protect me from bad words, Daddy. I'm a big girl. And I know this is a whore house. You don't have to get angry at Launch for sayin' it."

"Videl!" Mark clenched his eyes tightly shut when he couldn't look at those sweet blue eyes which were much too wise for their years.

He was ashamed as a father. His daughter should have been proud of his legacy. Sure, financially he'd be leaving her with a hell of an inheritance (or at least he would have if those damn Saiyans didn't rob the bank), and being that she had to grow up without a mother, he initially thought having so many women around would be beneficial to Videl. And to some extent, it was. But then there was this. She knew Champ's was a whore house. And Mark thought he could keep her sheltered for much longer. How long had she known?

"Daddy, who are those men? I don't like them."

"They're…nobody for you to worry about, Videl. Hopefully, they don't plan on sticking around here long." Mark frowned as his eyes fell upon the dark smears muddling the soft baby pink of Videl's ruffled skirt. "Look! You're getting your dress all caked in dirt by sitting on the ground like that. Why don't you go inside and get cleaned up?"

Videl scowled at her dress. She didn't care about that. But when she looked up to protest to her father, the front door slammed open and startled him.

"Damn! That Maron is a fine piece of work, Mr. Satan!" The gross, sloppily dressed man with a head that reminded Videl of a peanut shell slapped Videl's father so hard on the back that he nearly toppled forward. "We'll be back tomorrow for sure! Maybe I'll give another one of your whores a chance to ride my cock!"

"Watch your dirty mouth, Mr. Appule!" Mark growled furiously as he made an adamant gesture towards his attentively staring daughter. "At my place, you save language like that for the bedrooms!"

"Oh, I'm sorry, Little girl." The homely man gave Videl a condescending pat on the head. "But maybe, if you don't want to hear nasty language, you shouldn't be hanging around a whore house!"

Videl crossed her arms tightly. "Champ's is a respectable, full service establishment for the honest entertainment of gentlemen."

Mark smirked proudly as Videl stood to her feet. "That's my girl. Videl, why don't you go inside now, Honey?"

Videl waited. She wanted to see the mean man leave before she'd turn her back on him. When the man turned to leave, she nearly did as well, but her father firmly tugged the man's sleeve. "Money."

The man scoffed and glared at Mr. Satan's hand as he released his grip. "What?"

"You gotta at least tip the ladies. I know I told Lord Frieza I'd waive my fees, but these girls are gonna walk if you all keep coming and don't give them something in return."

Appule spit on the wooden planks, right where Videl had just been sitting. "I don't need to pay a God damned penny."

"I'm asking you nicely here. Don't make me have to take it by force!"

As Appule eyed Satan's hand slowly sliding down to the gun at his hip, he frowned. "So, I suppose the other men inside will find me dead out here, since I'm unarmed, and have to report the unfortunate incident to Lord Frieza. Is that what you want, Mr. Satan?"

Mr. Satan's hand trembled against the cold metal chamber of his gun. "N-no. It doesn't have to come to that. My generous offer still stands. I-"

"Really? Because it sounds to me like you're going back on your word." Appule's beady eyes narrowed in such a way that Videl felt the threat, even though she wasn't completely following the conversation. "Lord Frieza doesn't take kindly to cowards who go back on their word."

Videl clenched her fists and growled. "Are you callin' my daddy a coward?!"

Mark's eyes bulged. "Videl!"

"You take that back, you meany!" When Videl moved forward to shove the big bully off her father's property, her father seized her in his arms before she could make contact.

Appule snarled at Videl. "Put a leash on your child, Satan!"

When Appule raised a hand to Videl, Mark bravely inserted himself between them. "That's enough. I'm sure you already paid Maron when you were inside."

Appule raised his chin and took a long, deep breath with a scowl on his face. "I sure did."

"Then that's settled. Just next time, maybe you can give payment directly to me."

As Appule turned his back on Satan with tense shoulders and grumbled something that sounded insulting, Videl scowled at her father's worrisome face. "Daddy, that man didn't pay Maron."

"Honey," Mark ran his hand through the ends of Videl's soft, wavy pigtail falling lightly on her shoulder, "maybe Maron never did anything for him that she needs to be paid for. Daddy was just jumping to conclusions."

Videl pouted, crossing her arms again as her father released her hair which fell across her arms with a tickling sensation. She knew what she heard, or as much of it as she understood. Her father's words weren't adding up.

Mark sighed. "Can you get inside and get washed up already now, Videl?"

"I want to play outside a little longer."

Mark frowned sternly as Videl pouted at him, "Please, can't I just stay out until lunch?"

When a raucous deep yell sounded from inside the house, Mark cringed and snapped his head in that direction. "Maybe…okay. Just until lunch then. Don't stray from the house, Videl!"

When Mark leapt over the threshold to hurry inside and investigate that cry, he left his daughter out on the porch alone, with jacks in her hands and a puddle of bubbling spit on the ground, which she immediately toed around in order to reach the other end of the porch. There, she noticed a domineering presence making his way down the street, tugging a horse by the reins which seemed to be carrying a heavy load of goods on its saddle.

When the load, covered in a colorful, handmade blanket from the Namek tribe, wiggled before Videl's eyes, she furrowed her brows and trained her gaze on the horse and its owner. She was completely absorbed in investigating the curious item that savage had, so much so, that without realizing it, she was already following the horse away from her home. But it was too late for regret now. She had to find out why the packed items on the back of that horse were moving. Maybe the savage had some sort of wild animal for sale.

Piccolo narrowed his eyes over his shoulder. He was used to the sensation of eyes on him as he walked the streets of West City. People were always staring and making suspicious whispers about his presence, as well they should be. But being followed; now that was unusual. The last person who had followed him anywhere was that intimidating Saiyan, who still owed him money for the kid currently stowed on his horse's back.

"Stay still." Piccolo hissed under his breath when he caught sight of movement from his saddle in his peripheral vision. "You're drawing attention to us, Kid."

"I don't-"

"And don't talk!" Piccolo growled in frustration, baring his teeth to the irritating onlookers giving him curious glances from the streetside.

Gohan pressed his lips together tightly and did his best not to move. But the idea to draw that blanket away from his eyes and take a look at West City was so tempting. Maybe, if he just took a peek, he might see his mother again. Or he could see his house, or Mr. Roshi, or Sheriff Krillin. Maybe if they saw him, he could go home and be safe again. But Piccolo would be really angry if he did that. And what would his dad think of him if he was still out there looking for Gohan, only to find out his son ran home like a little baby?

When Piccolo stopped at the West City Saloon, he took a deep breath and spent a moment studying the obvious changes around town. There were a few familiar faces and a lot of unfamiliar ones. The newcomers were all men, who all had unpleasant attitudes that Piccolo could read just from looking at them. The painted scowls on their faces, the immediate, disdainful glares he received every time he made eye contact, and the rigid nature of their gaits were enough to tip him off. He'd dealt with plenty of their kind before. These men were trouble.

He noticed as he passed the new saloon that it was finished, and seemed to be frequented exclusively by those men, as every familiar face in town seemed to be evading the place as if it was crawling with late-stage lungers. A few prostitutes passed Piccolo, walking together and looking uneasy as they made their way back to Champ's. Kami's general shop was locked up tight, looking like it had been put out of business, at least temporarily. There were hardly any horses left in the stables, which meant quite a few people must've left West City.

When Piccolo spotted that long-haired, scar-faced deputy suspiciously glaring at him from the front of the sheriff's office, with the sheriff's badge pinned on his chest, Piccolo knit his brows tightly in bewilderment. "What the fuck?"

A tiny whisper sounded from his saddle. "M-Mr. Piccolo?"

"Stay here, Kid." Piccolo said through tight lips as he turned to tie his horse to the wooden railing outside the West City Saloon. "If you don't mess this up, I'll tell you everything I find out when I get back, and believe me, it'll be much more than any simpleton in this town can tell you."

A questioning grunt made Piccolo growl an effective warning. "Once I know what's happening, I can find the Saiyans and get you back to your dad. Just fucking stay still."

When Piccolo turned around, he narrowed his eyes at the unexpected sight of a young girl with dark hair and a stained pink dress pretending to shop for goods from the dwarf's makeshift stand posted along the side of the street. She wasn't too close, but she was close enough that Piccolo realized she had to be the one who was following him. The only other person close enough to be a suspect was that cowardly, drunken wares seller, and he sure as hell knew better than to follow Piccolo Daimao. The Sheriff was clearly headed towards the saloon now, too, but his pursuit was much too clumsy to be the person that was behind him earlier.

Piccolo didn't have to worry about the girl, he decided as he made his way up the creaking wooden steps, to follow the new sheriff through the swinging doors of the saloon. He had more important adult issues to tend to, and one child had been enough for him to deal with. He wasn't going to trouble himself worrying about another harmless kid.

As Piccolo's noisy steps thudded, and then the loud creak and bangs of swinging doors told Gohan Piccolo had left, he was surprised to hear more steps approaching him. Maybe someone had seen him. If someone confronted him, he didn't know what he'd do. Piccolo promised to get him back to his father, and he really wanted to see his dad again. Strangely enough, Gohan trusted Piccolo to do as he said. He didn't want to ruin the trust Piccolo might have in him by disregarding the rules he'd been given.

"I know you're under there." A small, sweet voice cooed, making Gohan's eyes widen in alarm. "What are you, huh?"

As the area beneath Gohan's stuffy blanket was surged with daylight and fresh air, Gohan grimaced and realized there was nowhere for him to run or hide. When the blanket pulled back from his face to reveal to him curious blue eyes staring back at him, Gohan gasped.

"Holy smoke!" The girl whispered. "You're not an animal, you're a boy!"

"Shhhh!" Gohan seized the blanket in his hands and wrapped it tightly over his recognizable spikes of hair. "No one is supposed to know I'm here!"

The girl's eyes narrowed in a way that made Gohan's throat feel thick with anticipation. "Well, I know you're here. And why are you hiding?" She glanced over her shoulder towards the saloon behind her. "Not for that savage, right? You know that man?"

"Y-yeah. Sort of." Gohan clenched his eyes shut and shook his head. "I'm not supposed to be talking to anyone. Please, go away."

When Gohan pulled the blanket completely over his head, it was pulled right back again by the girl's soft warm fingers that briefly came in contact with his. "Aren't you Gohan? The Sons' boy?"

Gohan cringed, which Videl took as acknowledgement. Studying his telling grimace, she slowly nodded her head in positive recognition. She didn't interact with Gohan much, aside from seeing him around the schoolhouse from time to time. His momma mostly taught him from home. He seemed like a shy kid. But she'd noticed him, enough to see, now that the blanket was fully pulled away to expose his entire face, that this was definitely the same boy.

"I'm Videl Satan." Videl's eyes narrowed towards the saloon. "I heard my Daddy say you mightta been kidnapped."

Gohan's eyes bulged as he tried desperately to conceal his head beneath the blanket again, but Videl wasn't removing her firm grip that held it back. "I-I was, but not by him! Please, just trust me. I need to stay with Piccolo so I can see my father again."

Videl took a deep breath, preparing to argue, but the hopelessly desperate look in Gohan's eyes made her hesitate. Her gaze softened as she took in the sincere look in his eyes and the worry she saw there. It made her think about her father. Maybe Gohan's father was in trouble. If hers was, she'd want the chance to see him again. Though she didn't understand how staying with a savage who wanted him to remain hidden from everyone else would help Gohan reach that goal, she uneasily made the decision to respect his wish.

"Fine, Gohan." Videl's eyes narrowed. "But if you're not back home by tomorrow, I'm going to find you."

Gohan furrowed his brows and shook his head fervently. "No! You can't do that! It's too dangerous out there!"

Placing her hands on her hips, Videl lifted on her toes in an attempt to come nose to nose with Gohan on the high horse's back. "And it's not too dangerous for you? I can handle it."

"I'm…" Gohan frowned, confused by the girl's overconfidence, "…with Piccolo."

As Videl stubbornly huffed and turned to lean her back against his horse's side with arms crossed, Gohan gnawed nervously at his lip. He was worried for Videl at the moment. If Piccolo came out and found her right up against his horse, she could be in trouble. If she really meant what she said, and Gohan didn't make it back to West City, she could put herself in danger by sneaking away to find him. And he couldn't think of a single thing to say to her to convince her that this was all a bad idea.

"Well," Videl turned and kindly patted the horse's side, "if you're fine being with Piccolo then, that's your choice. But when you get back here, Gohan, I expect an explanation about all of this."

Gohan frowned. "An explanation?"

"Yes. You do know what 'explanation' means, don't you?" Videl pet the horse and then scowled at Gohan. "It means you need to tell me why you were kidnapped and what you've been doin' out in the wilderness alone with a savage when you get back. If I'm going to stay here where it's s'posed to be safe, I expect a good story when you get back."

"What do you mean where it's supposed to be safe? Sheriff Krillin's always kept West City safe."

Videl gaped at Gohan before snapping her mouth shut. "Wow. You really have missed a lot."

Gohan released a heavy exhale as he met Videl's gaze intently. "Do you promise you won't leave West City by yourself?"

"I promise." Videl nodded, and then looked at Gohan with a playful grin. "Why, are you worried about me?"

Gohan frowned. "No. This is the first time I really talked to you, Videl. I don't know you enough to worry. I just don't want anything to happen to you because of me."

Videl glared. "Oh really? Then I'm glad you're not worried, you jerk!"

When Videl abruptly turned and stomped away angrily, Gohan stared at her, slack-jawed as he wondered what he did wrong. He told her that he didn't want anything to happen to her. It just seemed like 'worry' was a strong word for a near stranger. He wanted to call to Videl to apologize for…whatever he did, but he knew that would draw unwanted attention to him, and Videl wasn't turning around on her own anymore.

However, all thoughts of Videl were forgotten as soon as Gohan heard a voice he'd been waiting much too long to hear. Though her voice was in the form of angry screams and growls from across the street, Gohan found his mother's nearby presence comforting. He couldn't help momentarily pulling the blanket back from his head a little more, as he attempted to glance discreetly over his shoulder, to the other side of the street.

Grimacing and grunting at the discomfort of her painstaking efforts to reach the stables across from the West City Saloon, where her father's horse resided, Chi-Chi forced herself to ignore the pain of the leather strap cutting into her shoulder and the points of the guns poking her in the back. As she trudged forward with a yell, with the heavy load thumping against her back, while uneven trenches and puddles hindered her way on the street, the effort became increasingly exhaustive. By the time she reached the stable entrance, she needed to pause and take a breath. Placing a supportive hand against the wall of the stable, Chi-Chi stilled. She had the alarming sense that she was so close to something right now. She also was starting to notice that something didn't feel right within her.

"Mom!" Gohan whispered to himself in awe as a smile spread across his face at the sight of his mother and grandfather standing together outside the stables. "Grandpa!"

Gohan nearly laughed to himself with joy and relief, until he noticed the guns strapped to his mother's back, and the dazed look in her eyes as she swayed into his grandpa's supportive arms.

"Chi-Chi," Ox huffed with labored breath as he reached his scowling daughter and placed a hand on the satchel over her back, "let me help with that."

Studying his daughter carefully, Ox removed the satchel from Chi-Chi's shoulder and pulled it over his shoulder. As Chi-Chi swayed and her knees slightly buckled, Ox's eyes drifted to the gray-skied heavens above as he let loose a grateful sigh of relief. It looked like the laudanum was finally working.

He felt guilty for having spiked her tea, especially when this venture was so obviously important to her, but a father had to protect his only daughter. Now Chi-Chi wouldn't be running out into danger, where she'd only be adding herself in the mix with the heap of trouble Goku and Gohan were apparently in.

"Dad," Chi-Chi lowered her head and leaned more heavily against the wall for support, "what…"

"Shhh." Ox gently removed the hat covering Chi-Chi's black bangs hanging over her glazed and dilated eyes. "It'll be alright, honey. You'll see. Goku can handle it. You just need to come inside and rest now."

Gohan furrowed his brows at the sight of his grandfather reassuring his mother about something. He was sure his mother had to be worried for him and his dad. He was just glad to see that she seemed to be recovered from the Saiyan's attack in their home. She had fought so hard to protect Gohan, and he wasn't even sure what that scary intruder would do to his mother at the time. But she was strong. Although, right now, she didn't look like her usual strong, overbearing self. Gohan had never seen his mother like this.

Chi-Chi closed her eyes as she swallowed tightly. Retreating to the house was out of the question for her, but she couldn't help feeling that her father was right about Goku handling everything. She shook her head to ward off that errant thought. No, her father still didn't know everything. Goku couldn't be trusted to do this alone.

A chuckle escaped Chi-Chi's lips. "I told you that Goku is a Saiyan, didn't I?"

Ox balked, temporarily removing his hands from Chi-Chi's shoulders. "Huh?"

"Goku isn't even his real name. It's Kaka…somethin'."

As Ox gaped and stared at his daughter, Chi-Chi knit her brows together tightly and turned to clutch her father's chest. She felt like she was floating and couldn't recall what she was saying. Something was definitely not right. She couldn't help Gohan like this. But strangely, that thought couldn't bother her at the moment. Nothing could bother her with how euphoric she was suddenly feeling.

Ox wrapped an arm securely over Chi-Chi's shoulder. "Goku will protect Gohan. You'll see."

Chi-Chi stubbornly shook her head and licked her dry lips. "No! You don't understand. Gohan…"

As Chi-Chi trailed off and instinctively turned her head towards the West City Saloon, right in Gohan's direction, Gohan hurriedly gasped and ducked his head securely below the blanket. He wasn't ready for his mother to see him, not right now. As much as he wanted to go home, as much as he wanted to comfort his mother and tell her he was fine, he realized now that there was a greater need to follow through with Piccolo's plan and find his father. His father was in trouble now, and if Gohan and Piccolo could help in any way, he wanted to be there. As scary as it was, there was too much going on around him for Gohan to return home just yet.

As Ox pulled Chi-Chi along with him, his daughter sighing with absent-minded euphoria and dragging her feet along the way home, he hugged her shoulder tightly. Chi-Chi would be just fine when this was all over. Ox just hoped Goku would return home soon so he didn't have to see his daughter like this anymore. And he hoped, with whatever odd business was going on at the outskirts of West City, that Goku and Gohan were just fine. Chi-Chi would never forgive him for holding her back if anything happened to her son or husband.

When Piccolo emerged from the saloon, he was relieved to find Gohan's rainbow-colored lump in place on his saddle, just as still and quiet as he left him. The girl was long gone, and no one else around seemed to be taking an interest in Gohan, aside from the one curious glance he received from Oolong. A quick glance from Piccolo sent the little pig quivering and hurriedly turning to a distraction, though, so Piccolo was satisfied that he could leave West City now without any problems. And leaving West City, they would be doing, now that he knew the Saiyans were out there with Ginyus on their tails.

Piccolo patted his horse's neck and untied the reins.

"Mr. Piccolo?" The tiny voice hissed as soon as the horse started moving beneath him.

"It's me, Kid." Piccolo sighed and proceeded down the street of West City, in the opposite direction from that which Chi-Chi and Ox King headed. "We're going back out there."

"Did they tell-"

"Keep your voice down!" Piccolo spoke through clenched teeth as he warily eyed the streets around him, paying careful attention to the new faces of people going in and out of businesses and homes as he passed them along the way.

Lowering his chin and meeting the astounded gaze of Mr. Popo, who looked up from tending to the plants outside the shut-down general store, Piccolo clenched his jaw. He couldn't speak on these streets. There were too many curious eyes around, and apparently, far too many enemies.

"Mr. Pic-"

Piccolo growled. "That saloon-owner-turned-deputy didn't want to tell me a thing. But the new sheriff did."

"New-?"

"Did I say you could talk? Just listen!"

A beat of silence passed while Piccolo patiently waited, and Gohan held his breath in tense anticipation.

"Yamcha Puar is now West City's sheriff, temporarily. And he actually asked for my help." Piccolo chuckled. "They must be desperate if they think I'll help them."

A shuffle behind him made Piccolo stop mid-stride, but that abrupt movement seemed to be enough indication for his passenger when the movement stopped.

"Still," Piccolo narrowed his eyes as he passed the new saloon, its front porch drenched in purple and orange ribbons, plenty of armed men, fine curtains in the window and most likely on the inside, all kinds of comforts that most of the West never saw, "this town is my main source of income. If these bastards are looking to take it down and they really don't work with people of my race, I suppose they're an enemy of mine as well. We won't stand a chance against them without the Saiyans, though."

Piccolo sighed as he made his way forward, ignoring the reprehensible look he received from the old man rocking in a rocking chair outside the schoolhouse as he passed. The last thing he needed now was reprimand from that old codger. Kami was a traitor, fraternizing and being friendly with the white enemies for so long, who would strike down their entire tribe without a care. Kami failed to realize that these people were their enemies, and always would be. That didn't mean they couldn't work together though, to fight a common enemy. Right now, the townspeople in West City, the Nameks and even the Saiyans, were better off as allies. If a dangerous, notorious gunslinger was in their town, as appeared to be the case of this Lord Frieza, Piccolo knew they had a long battle ahead of them, or West City was going to belong to Frieza Cold. He had to find a way to unite these people and fight Frieza, and the Saiyans were going to be the first place to start. At least he knew Goku would be willing to hear him out. Piccolo had a trade to make with the Saiyans, anyways.

With a smirk, Piccolo glanced at the wiggling lump hidden beneath a soft blanket on his saddle. "We're going to find your dad, Kid. But don't expect this to be easy."

Gohan pulled back the blanket just enough to peek at the scenery around him. When he recognized sand below him, with wagon trails and horseprints, but no buildings or people up ahead, he turned towards Piccolo. "Can I come out now?"

Piccolo smiled and stopped. "Hop off. I'll ride us back to camp."

When Gohan hit the ground with a grunt, but landed on his feet, Piccolo smiled down at the proud expression on the boy's face. Then he tossed the blanket around, forming it into a ball and pressing it into Gohan's chest.

"Come on, Gohan." Piccolo climbed on the horse and grasped Gohan's hand, swinging the kid up so he could ride behind him. As the kid wiggled into place behind him, with the blanket softly pressed up against Piccolo's back, Piccolo placed his hands on the reins and lifted his gaze to the rising sun which had just barely separated from the horizon. There was still plenty of morning left, and if the morning's level of activity so far was any indication of how the rest of the day would play out, it was going to be a busy one.