Kit pointed down over his shoulder, "Land, quick!"

Tien obeyed, shooting downward. Kit clung tighter to his back until he slowed and landed, then she hopped off of him and looked at the radar before looking wildly around, "It's going to pass us- any second now! Be ready!"

They waited, tense, until they heard rustling to their right. Tien turned, crouching at the ready. He wasn't sure what had snagged their Dragon Ball, but he knew it was swift. A dark thought flickered across his mind- what if it was the thing that killed Krillin? Kit was beside him, tense as they stared at the rustling bush.

Two eyes peered out at them.

Tien was about to pounce- but then-

A small monkey hopped out of the bush, gnawing on the three star ball.

"More monkeys," Kit breathed a sigh of relief, "He must have been swinging through the trees to go that fast."

Tien relaxed and straightened, "Well, let's go about this a bit more cautiously than Terrel did," he said.

"Let me!" said Kit, pushing the radar into his chest, "I have a thing with animals."

Tien took the radar and watched with slight wonder as Kit lowered herself into a crouch and approached the monkey slowly, smiling and holding out the back of her hand. She kept her muscles relaxed and nonthreatening.

"Hey little guy," her voice was soft and comforting, "Come here now. Shinhan, can you get me some fruit?" she added out of the corner of her mouth.

Tien looked up at the trees and around them. There were several that bore fruit. He nodded to her and fly up slowly, so as not to startle the monkey, and found a nice red apple. He plucked it and went back down, landing lightly next to Kit and crouching behind her, handing her the apple over her shoulder.

"Thanks," she said and looked back at the monkey, who had inched a bit closer, "Hey how about a trade?" she asked it, "That ball isn't very tasty is it? This would be much better, huh?" she held out the apple to him and her other empty hand next to it, palm up.

The monkey hopped a bit closer. Tien found himself leaning forward to see if the monkey was really going to come up to Kit so easily. She wasn't kidding, she really had a way with animals.

"Atta' boy," Kit encouraged the monkey, "Just a bit closer and we can trade, hm?"

The monkey almost absent mindedly placed the Dragon Ball in Kit's empty hand and took the apple instead, and plopped down, taking a loud bite and munching on it happily. Kit beamed and tucked the ball close to her in case the monkey changed his mind.

"That was amazing," said Tien, astounded, leaning around her to look at her face from the side.

Kit glanced at him, smirking crookedly, "Did you want to sit here and cuddle for a while or should we get back to finding the rest of the Dragon Balls?" she asked slyly.

Tien turned red and scrambled back and stood, realizing she had been referring to how his chest had practically been pressed to her back. The monkey yelped at his sudden movement and fled into the bush again, taking his apple with him. Tien hadn't realized he had gotten so close to her while watching her work with the creature. He felt slight irritation in his chest. Why did she have to take it there? And to even joke about such things at a time like this…

"Choice B, then, alright," said Kit, getting to her feet and looking after the monkey, "I get it, we can cuddle later, but did you have to scare the monkey?"

Tien turned, not wanting her to see the red in his cheeks, "L-let's just get back to the others."

"All business! I think I can grow to like that in a man, but you do gotta learn to loosen up sometimes, Shinhan," said Kit as she hopped onto his back like a cat, resting her chin on his shoulder and wrapping her legs and arms around his body, her breath warm on his ear.

Tien shot up into the air and just tried to concentrate on flying straight.

"You got it!" Chiaotzu cried happily when they returned.

"Yeah, monkey had it," said Kit, "And look, no scratches!"

"Oh shut up," snapped Terrel, scowling, "Bitch…"

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*

"You're certain you won't change your mind?" Roshi asked.

The next Dragon Ball had brought them to a land ship. Kit thought the vehicle was rather interesting, what with its uncanny resemblance to a large sailing ship but with rovers like what a tank had pulling it through a forest, crushing the trees in its path. The captain of this ship, a man resembling a cougar, with golden fur and pointed ears, was sitting upon a chair toward the stern of the boat, smirking at them. There was a harsh scar going down his face over his eye. In one hand he had a shotgun, in the other was the two star Dragon Ball.

They had tried to convince him to give them the ball peacefully. But it seemed he wasn't wishing to part with it. Not to mention Kit thought the guy was a complete and total prick.

"What's that ball to you anyway?" Tien snapped, clenching his fists.

"Just a trinket, nice to look at," laughed the captain, "But I can tell by how much you folks want it that it has more value than just that."

"What do you want then, cash?" asked Terrel, crossing his arms.

"I think a million zene should suffice," the captain laughed, and the crew of mix matched men around them laughed.

"A million?!" Roshi gasped.

"You can't be serious," Tien growled.

"Either that… or…" his good eye went to Kit and she blinked, not liking the look on his face, "I'll trade you for the redhead."

"Well it is for the greater good," Terrel cast a smirk at Kit.

"Hate you," she told him bluntly.

"No way," snapped Tien, stepping forward and glaring at the captain, "That's not an option!"

"Alright, yeah, yeah," said Terrel, laughing, "I mean, fox here wouldn't be a good trade anyway, mister captain, sir, she and three eyes kind of have this awkward sexual tension thing going on, her heart wouldn't be in it."

"TERREL!" Kit cried incredulously.

"How about this!" said Roshi, stepping forward and holding out two slips of paper to the captain.

"What's this?" the captain demanded.

"A lottery ticket and a beer coupon! Go on, treat yourself!" said Roshi.

Kit covered her face with her palm, groaning.

"What do you take me for?!" cried the captain, making Roshi back up to avoid the spray of spit, "Now you've gone and insulted me! Boys!"

The crew around them all aimed their guns at them. Kit glanced around warily. Bullets hurt. Did they actually manage to pierce her skin? Rarely. But they still stung like a bitch. And with all these guns trained on them at once, there was no chance to catch every single bullet. Terrel looked around with a frown, "Aw come on, this seems awfully rash."

"Careful not to shoot up the redhead too much," the captain's good eye gleamed, "I want to save her for later."

"Disgusting, I don't want fleas!" Kit spat, and smirked.

The captain let out an outraged snarl, "Fire!"

"Chiaotzu!" Tien cried just before the air was filled with smoke and gunfire.

Kit grinned wickedly when the guns finally clicked empty and the smoke cleared, revealing all the bullets hovering in the air, slowly revolving about. Chiaotzu had a single finger raised up, his face expressionless. His mind powers were amazing, Kit had to admit. She hadn't gotten scratched by a single bullet when she, Tien, and Terrel had rushed about the deck, dealing hits on all the crew. Just as Chiaotzu let the bullets patter to the floor, the crew members all fell as well, unconscious.

Kit smirked crookedly as Terrel cracked his knuckles, and Tien chuckled darkly. He had a shotgun in his hand. The captain growled and went to fire at them- but the shotgun he had and the one in Tien's grasp were on and the same.

"Those coupons look pretty good now, huh?" laughed Roshi, stepping forward and holding out his hand, "The Dragon Ball?"

The captain snarled in anger and dropped the ball in Roshi's hand.

They left the ship at that point, landing on the forest floor to pop the capsule their flyer was in.

"Thanks for nearly selling me off to a bunch of thugs back there Terrel!" Kit snapped, but she was smirking playfully.

"Hey! I knew lover boy there wouldn't stand for it! I was just kidding around!" Terrel defended.

Tien was bright red and scowling, "Terrel, you need to learn to watch your tongue!" he snapped.

"What?" Terrel blinked at him innocently, "I'm doing you a favor here, man. You see, by making myself look like an asshole, you look even better, see?"

"You don't need to make yourself look like an asshole, you ARE one," Kit said.

"Well, yes, but that's beside the point," said Terrel.

As Roshi, Terrel, and Kit climbed back into the flyer, Chiaotzu pulled Tien's pant leg. She glanced back and barely caught the little one's words.

"Why is your face so red, Tien?"

"Just… be quiet Chiaotzu…" Tien grumbled, and climbed into the flyer.

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*

The next Dragon Ball was farther off, they had to take turns driving so that they could all catch some sleep. Terrel offered to take the wheel at one point, and switched spots with Tien, leaving him to sit next to Kit. She noticed how shy he was to being so close to her. Kit had woken up the next morning to find Chiaotzu's head in her lap and her head on Tien's shoulder. He had his arm around her, and his head resting on hers. She didn't dare move in case of waking the two but she saw Terrel glance back and smirk at her when he saw her eyes open. Kit mouthed "Shut up" to him and he laughed, going back to driving.

Tien woke with a start at Terrel's laughter, saw the position he was in, and immediately removed his arm and straightened, his cheeks slightly red.

"S-sorry," he muttered.

"No need," said Kit, amused by how nervous he was.

"Huh- wha-?" Roshi sat up in the passenger seat and checked the radar, "Oh! We're close! Terrel, touch down in that town there."

The town they had landed in was an old sort of western place, with dirt roads and even a saloon. They hopped out of the flyer and shrunk it down to a capsule, and followed Roshi as he clicked the radar. He led them to the near outskirts of the town where a lone old house was sitting with a horse tied outside of it.

"It's in there," said Roshi.

"Allow me, Master," said Tien, stepping forward. Kit watched him as he walked confidently to the door and knocked.

The door opened, and Tien began speaking, "Uh- hello, I was wondering if- …!" he cut off mid sentence, as he looked into the house. From where Kit was standing, it looked like a middle aged woman with long dark hair had answered, but Tien hadn't cut off from seeing her face, he was looking past her, into the house where a man was sitting at a table carving wood with a knife. He was a handsome older guy, if not looking a bit disheveled.

She heard Tien give a sharp gasp of surprise.

"It's you," said the man at the table, blinking with equal surprise as he stared at Tien.

"Oh shit," Kit hissed.

She could tell by the tone in the man's voice and the displeasure on his face that however he knew Tien… it couldn't be good.

"You know this young man?" the woman asked the man at the table.

"Oh good, it looks like they know each other," said Roshi.

Kit bounded forward, noting in Tien's body language how uncomfortable he was. She popped up at his shoulder and smiled at the woman and man.

"Hi!" she said, making Tien jump, "We just have a quick question- or rather- we're looking for something. We thought maybe- by chance- you folks might have it?"

"Uh, well, I'll need more detail than that," the woman laughed at Kit's enthusiasm, "Come in."

Tien seemed frozen to the spot for a moment. Kit pressed her hand to the small of his back, pushing him inside. He stumbled, but regain his composure, and the door shut behind them. Kit looked about the small establishment. It was a nice home, if a bit shabby and disorganized. She smiled politely at the man at the table and he glared at her. She blinked in surprise.

"What's a nice little gal like you doin' with a bastard like him then?" the man asked bluntly.

Kit stared at him, taken completely off guard and glanced at Tien, who was staring at the floor, his fists clenched.

"Dear, that's no way to treat guests," said the woman sternly.

"Small world," Tien finally commented, glancing up.

The man grunted in effort as he got to his feet. He grabbed a cane that had been leaning beside him and began to limp across the room, his back to Tien and Kit, "Yes it is, as bad luck would have it," he spat, "I was hoping I could forget your face, but I'm reminded of it every time I move."

Kit glanced at Tien with questioning eyes. Was he the reason the man had to use a cane to walk? Well… Tien was practically a near evil killer not but five days ago, so she guessed it was possible. She frowned and looked back, her gut twisting a bit. This was unfortunate. But maybe she could convince the man that Tien had changed.

The man glanced back at them, glaring, and he looked at Kit, "I take it by the look on your face you don't know," he said, "Well, I wouldn't expect him to remember all the people's lives he's ruined. Shinhan and I fought in a tournament. He had me easily outmatched. But even when the officials told him to stop and that he had won, it seemed he has some sort of point to prove," he spat on the ground, rage clear across his face, "I had to be rushed to the hospital. I don't remember much, except the pain of thirteen broken bones. I didn't get back to this house for a year. And my beautiful wife!"

Tien looked at the ground in shame. Kit realized her mouth was open but no words were coming out. Well, yes, that was the Tien she had met at the beginning of the tournament. She unconsciously grabbed her casted wrist.

"Listen…" Tien began, looking back up, "I was a different person back then, I-"

"So was I!" snapped the man, glaring at him, "I could walk without using a cane!"

Tien flinched, but he pushed on, "The reason I came is because of your Dragon Ball. We know you have it here somewhere."

"Dragon Ball- what the hell is that?" snarled the man.

Kit glanced around her to notice that the man's wife had vanished from the room. She also noticed a baby's crib in the far corner, and soft cooing sounds coming from it.

"It's an orange ball with a star mark," said Tien, "Please, we need it."

"No," said the man bluntly.

"Unacceptable," said Tien, steeling himself, shaking a bit. Kit looked between him and the man, at a loss of what to do.

"I've never heard of it," said the man sharply, "And even if I had I wouldn't help the likes of you!" he glanced to the wall beside him, where two rifles were hanging. Kit felt her gut clench.

"Listen," said Kit, stepping forward, "Shinhan and I fought in a tournament too," she said, glancing back at him.

"Kit-" he began.

"No, let me talk!" she said back at him before facing the man again, "But he changed during our fight- I promise you, he's changed. He realized that he was being manipulated to do evil deeds by his martial arts master. He's a different man now."

"That doesn't change my broken body," snarled the man.

"We must have it!" Tien begged, stepping forward.

The man took down one of the rifles, aiming it at Tien, "Keep back!" he snapped.

"I'm not here to hurt you!" Tien cried.

"Please-" Kit started, but suddenly, the door burst open.

Several military men came rushing in, swiftly surrounding Tien and Kit, all aiming their rifles at them. Tien grunted in astonishment and shock. Kit blinked, raising her hands, "Hang on, boys, what gives?" she asked.

The wife had returned, a phone in her hand. Now Kit knew where she ran off to. She looked worried, and rushed over beside the cradle.

"Tien Shinhan!" snapped the man in the front, holding up an official looking paper, "You're under arrest for murder!"

"What?!" Tien and Kit yelped in unison.

"Unlike the police, it didn't take us long to identify the killer, Shinhan," snapped the man, "Who else is strong enough and delights and relishes in the defeat and death of other martial artists?"

Kit stared. Wait- they thought Tien was responsible for that demon's deeds?!

"What- no! That's a lie!" Tien shouted.

"You would kill anyone if it suited your needs," snarled the man, "I'm living proof."

"You've got it wrong! I'm not the one doing this!" Tien cried.

"He's right!" Kit said, looking around wildly, "He has an alibi! Several actually- of when the first murder even happened! He was with me and our friends after the tournament! It's King Pic-"

"Stop!"

Master Roshi stepped through the door, adjusting his sunglasses.

"Wait- M-Master Roshi?" yelped the man holding the paper.

"Sergeant, I can assure you Tien Shinhan is no killer, he's a friend of mine, and we're on official business!" Roshi snapped. Kit could see Terrel and Chiaotzu behind him, both looking a bit bewildered.

"But- Master-"

"Let it go, Sergeant, Tien is not the man you're looking for. He's been with me this entire time, and has not been the one killing the martial artists."

"Stand down," sighed the sergeant.

The man growled in frustration, but lowered his own rifle too. As the militia departed, Tien approached him cautiously and held out his hand, palm up. Despite Tien himself being a rather tall guy, this man actually was a head taller than him. Tien had to look up, "The Dragon Ball?" he asked.

"Why don't you just tear the place apart?" snarled the man, "That is your style, isn't it Shinhan?"

Tien blinked at him, his hand falling, letting out a soft gasp. He looked down, and Kit had never seen him look so ashamed. He dropped to his knees. The man blinked in surprise as Tien placed his hands on the floor and bowed his head low.

"Please, we desperately need that ball!" he said, "I'm sorry for what I did, I truly am. If it makes you feel better, break a bone or two- snap an arm! But please- please! We need your Dragon Ball."

Kit started to move forward, unable to see Tien in such a state without some need to comfort him, but Roshi grabbed her arm and shook his head.

The man stared down at Tien in pure shock. Tien's eyes were shut tight save his third one, his nose an inch from the floor as he waited for the man to attack. Kit couldn't believe his dedication. He was willing to allow this man to break his bones just so they could get the Dragon Ball- but no, it was more than that.

Tien wasn't just doing this for the Dragon Ball, she realized, he was doing this for himself. He was begging for forgiveness from a man he had wronged so harshly in the past. Kit rested her hand over her heart. She couldn't imagine what Tien was going through right now.

"I've dreamed of revenge longer than I can remember," said the man darkly. Kit saw Tien's body tense as he waited for the first blow. But it never came. The man slumped back against the wall, sighing, "I forgive you. Get up."

"Uh?!" Tien looked up, all three eyes wide with shock.

Kit knelt beside him and offered her good hand to him. She glanced back to see Chiaotzu beaming, Terrel looking confused, and Roshi gave a soft smile that made his mustache twitch.

"J-just like that?" Tien gasped.

Kit smacked his shoulder, "Just accept it, dumb ass!" she hissed.

The man chuckled softly as Tien took her hand and they rose together.

"I never imagined the day when I would forgive you, Shinhan," he said, "But this girl you have… if she can look at you like that, then you really can't be that bad of a guy any more can you?"

Kit felt her cheeks burn a bit when Tien looked at her in surprise.

"You can have the Dragon Ball," said the man, limping over to the baby's cradle and smiled down into it, "As soon as he wakes up."

Kit peered in and smiled to see a sweet little baby boy clutching the five star Dragon Ball.

Tien stumbled out of the home, and Kit turned, her brow perked.

"Don't worry about him," assured Roshi, "He's fine. Just needs air, I'm sure."

"You jumped to his defense pretty quickly," the man said, making Kit look back at him, "But I saw you grab your arm when I explained what happened."

Kit looked at her cast and swallowed, "Well, it's not thirteen broken bones but… what I said was true, Shinhan and I fought at the last World Martial Arts Tournament. But he realized during the battle that his Master was making him into something he wasn't. As you just saw for yourself, Shinhan has a conscience."

"If that's the case then perhaps we have you to thank," said the man, "For changing his ways."

"Me to thank?" Kit blinked.

"Men do some strange things when they like a woman," said the man, glancing at his wife and smiling, "Even down to becoming a better person."

Kit blinked. But- sure, Tien was shy around her whenever she teased him in that manner, but deep down, she didn't really think he had those sort of feelings for her- did he? He had changed because Kit talked sense into him. And that Master Shin was sort of proving her point while she did it. It wasn't more than that.

"You look confused," said the woman with a laugh, "Don't worry, it won't be that way forever. There's a certain spark between the two of you."

"If you'll excuse me, I'm going to go throw up," said Terrel.

"Way to ruin the mood," Chiaotzu glowered after him as he retreated.

When they piled back into the flyer, Kit noticed Tien was quiet as he got behind the wheel.

"Three down," piped Chiaotzu.

"Three to go," said Roshi.

Kit looked at the back of Tien's head as they took off. "Men can do strange things when they like a woman," the man's words echoed in the back of her mind, "Even down to becoming a better person."

Was it possible Tien actually liked her? Even before their match?

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*

Master Kaijo watched critically as Yamcha punched the air, then swing out a kick. However, upon putting his weight on his bad leg, Yamcha gasped and dropped to one knee, clutching it.

"I told you you're not ready," said Kaijo with a soft smile.

"This is so stupid," Yamcha spat, "I feel completely useless!"

They were outside Kame House in the grass next to the edge of the bluff. Yamcha had insisted he wanted to train with Kaijo and Arthur, but Kaijo told him he had to prove he was ready first.

"If you try to train or fight too soon, you'll just make your injury worse," Kaijo scolded.

"He's right," said Bulma, coming to his side and gently kissing his cheek, making him turn red, "Now come on, just sit back, Yamcha. The best thing you can do right now is rest and let that leg heal."

Yamcha sighed in defeat and allowed himself to be dragged back into a chair Bulma had pulled out for him to sit outside in. Kaijo turned back to Arthur, who had been watching closely.

"So, you wanted to try that new technique?" he asked.

"Hrm? Oh! Yes," Arthur bowed low to Kaijo, "It's something I've been working on. Nap Strike."

Kaijo perked a brow at him.

Arthur's muzzle pulled back into a grin, "See, with precise jabs, you target certain parts of the body."

"Like that Vice girl," said Launch, folding her arms, tossing blond hair from her face.

"No, not quite," said Arthur, "While Vice used her abilities to paralyze, I will be targeting other areas to send messages to the brain to essentially cause my opponent to fall asleep."

"Aren't you the one that does the sleeping?" asked Oolong.

"Well, sometimes," said Arthur, "But as I learned back at the tournament with how Goku pulled me off stage, that can be an issue with more than one opponent. It would be difficult to get a read on all of their fighting styles, not to mention painful."

The others bowed their heads slightly at the mention of Goku's name. Arthur blinked and his ears lowered, "Ah, yes, sorry."

"It's no problem," said Bulma, looking up with fresh determination, "I can't believe that Goku is dead- he can't be! He's been through too much to just go down like that."

"Even if he is, we can wish him back," added Yamcha, "Just like with Krillin."

Krillin had been tucked away in a freezing chamber that could turn into a dino cap. Bulma had tucked him away in a drawer for now.

"So, back on task," Kaijo pulled them from the depressing topic, looking back to Arthur, "How exactly does this work?"

"You first have to make a strike on the back of the neck, very precisely, so as not to sever the spinal cord or damage it too severely, but hit it just right to send the messages up to the brain. Then, theoretically, every hit after that that you place on will intensify this effect by sending vibrations through the body."

"I see so, it's like the Sly Touch," said Kaijo thoughtfully.

Arthur grinned again, "That is where I got the original idea. But unfortunately, this will prove useless unless hits are made, rather than with the Sly Touch, the effects come eventually no matter what, hits just speed up the process slightly."

"Have you tested it?" asked Launch.

"No, but I was hoping to get the chance in a spar with Master Kaijo," said Arthur, beaming.

Master Kaijo smiled lightly, "I see no harm in it, I could use-"

"Excuse me."

Kaijo whirled when something landed on the edge of the bluff, crouching at the defense. His gut twisted in horror when he saw what had joined them. The creature was tall, with scaly green skin, large slightly tattered wings, and a vicious face that bore no sign of a nose but a wide fanged mouth and dark eyes flooded with evil intent. He was looking at Kaijo with slight amusement.

"I am called Tambourine, and I seem to have lost my way, could you tell me where to find…" he pulled a packet of papers from his hip and began to rummage through them. As he did, he tossed certain ones to the ground, "Dead," a picture of Crash fluttered into the grass, "Dead," a picture of Paumpet, "Dead," a picture of Man Wolf in his human form, "Dead," a picture of Vice…

"Ah!" Tambourine finally seemed to find what he was looking for and held out the picture to them. It was a picture of Yamcha, "I need to find this man here- wait-" his eyes looked over Kaijo's shoulder, spotting Yamcha who had gone slightly pale, sitting behind him with his leg propped up and Bulma clinging to his arm, "You're Yamcha!" he cried, and grinned darkly, "What luck, I stop for directions only to find my next kill."

"That's not going to happen," Kaijo growled, clenching his fists, "I've dealt with your ilk before! I won't be letting you kill anyone else!"

Arthur came to his side, crouching as well, his face determined.

"And the bear?" Tambourine perked a scaly brow, "I thought you would have bled out. I suppose I should be more thorough with my work," he laughed.

"Leave," Arthur growled.

"Bulma, get everyone into the house," Kaijo ordered over his shoulder.

"But-!" Bulma began.

"GO!" Kaijo snapped.

She flinched and helped Yamcha to his feet.

"I want to help!" Yamcha begged, "It's me he's after."

"You think for a second a demon like he would just stop at killing you?" Kaijo growled, "Arthur and myself are martial artists too, and if you try to help, you would just get in the way!" he added coldly.

Yamcha opened his mouth to argue, but then hung his head in defeat, eyes quavering as Bulma helped him inside, Oolong, Puar, and Launch following him.

"You, old man, a martial artist?" laughed Tambourine, "Well I suppose anyone can become martial artists these days. I've already killed two children and a woman, why not add a frail elder to the list?"

"You've no clue what you're dealing with," Kaijo snarled, "I helped seal the jar your precious King was trapped in for decades, I've fought off waves of your kind without losing my nerve!"

Tambourine crossed his arms, "Is that so? Then I suppose you are on the top of my to-die list."

"He's stronger than he looks," Arthur added softly beside Kaijo.

"Yes, but even though King Piccolo is still strong, I can tell he is weaker than he was before his imprisonment. His offspring aren't nearly as elite."

"What did you say?" Tambourine snarled, crouching and his wings stretching.

"I said you're a pussy!" Kaijo hollered, and then launched himself forward.

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*

Arthur gasped at the elderly man's strength. Kaijo's speed was amazing, and he lashed out as he rushed Tambourine, and caught him completely off guard, punching him hard across the face and sending him crashing into the ground and skidding several yards away, leaving a deep rut in the ground.

But the demon was swift to recover. With a hiss of anger, he pulled himself out of the ground.

"Not just anyone can land a hit on me," he snarled, "You weren't bluffing."

Kaijo was crouching again, grinning wickedly, "I'm used to fighting off thousands of your kind at a time, with just one of you? This is pathetic."

"Insolent human," Tambourine spat, "I will make you eat your own heart!" and he rushed in.

Kaijo didn't dodge in time, and received a hard kick in his side sending him sailing toward Arthur. The bear yelped and held out his burly arms, catching the old man, and with all his girth, barely budged and inch.

"Thanks," Kaijo coughed as Arthur sat him down.

"As much as I know you want to beat him to a pulp on your own," said Arthur, "We truly should not dally. Allow me to assist you."

Kaijo looked at him, "You just want revenge. I don't think I saw you as the type."

"He killed the boy in front of my eyes," Arthur reminded him darkly, "This creature deserves no mercy."

Kaijo nodded curtly, "Very well, let's make short work of this," he faced the demon again.

Tambourine laughed at them, "Fight together or apart, I will still kill you!"

He rushed for them, but with Kaijo and Arthur combined, he did not have an easy time. He swiped a punch at Kaijo while kicking at Arthur in the same motion, but while Kaijo dodged easily, Arthur blocked. Kaijo took the opening, swinging up his leg and kicking Tambourine harshly in the head, causing the demon to fall backward. Arthur swiftly added his own attack before the creature could even fall, elbowing him in his side, sending him crashing into the ground.

The two did not even wait for Tambourine to recover, quickly pouncing on him and beginning to punch him back and forth between the two of them like some absurd game of tennis. Arthur realized that Kaijo hadn't been kidding. He truly could handle this beast on his own no sweat, as he had faced droves of them before. Tambourine finally managed to snap out of their game, flying upward, his body looking pretty banged up, one eye swelling, his face twisted in fury.

"Fools!" he shrieked, "I will not be bested by insects like you!" he aimed a hand at Arthur and a small blast erupted from it.

Arthur's eyes widened and he jumped to avoid it, but still got caught in the blast, sending him a few yards away and crashing into the ground, his body aching.

"Time to end this!" Kaijo jumped up into the air and whirled, slamming an elbow into Tambourine's gut before landing gracefully.

The demon howled in pain and clutched himself, slowly backing away, his wings flapping feebly, "This is not the end, you have not seen the last of Tambourine- or King Piccolo!" he turned and flew shakily off.

"Coward!" Kaijo shouted after him.

Arthur slowly picked himself up, grunting in pain. Launch appeared at his side. She must have sneezed during the fight, because her hair was blue now.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"I'm fine," said Arthur, grinning.

"We'll have to move," said Kaijo sadly, "He knows where we are, and even if he doesn't return, he will surely tell King Piccolo of our whereabouts and more will come."

"That was some great fighting," said Yamcha, leaning on the doorframe, eyes wide, "You and Master Roshi really did fight off all those demons."

"It was no simple task," said Kaijo harshly, "We must pack, and be alert. This is only the beginning."