Disclaimer: 2nd chapter. Hurry before it runs away!

Ah, I neglected to mention earlier that what Piccolo did on that Valentine's Day that he doesn't remember was in a songfic (in GVD Extras), in case that confused anyone.


When Goku's ability finally got through word of mouth in the castle, the royalty of Sui-sei quickly flooded the room with the Three Twenty-two and questions were being tossed all around his Instantaneous Movement and the planet Yardrat. Unfortunately for them, Goku could not remember a coordinate code for a planet if his life depended on it, so the location of the planet was left in the dark outside the fact that it was across the Red Line, which, to them, meant uncharted territory. And they weren't about to try and have Goku teach them this technique.

Otherwise, the simple idea of it went over well with the royal family. Even Atsarute (after she had taken her bath and put on another set of clothes) had forgotten her anger at him for the time being and let her intrigue take over, grasping at all the possibilities if such a thing as transportation was really possible through the communication streams, mentally applying them to military campaigns for surprise maneuvers. Derosen and Naiosai were already discussing how it could affect trade. And Aikanefi, she could already see how it would help diplomatic relations with planets that they had to compromise face-to-face negotiations for screens and speakers, which was always a less desirable method of committee.

And for the Earthlings, this meant that they didn't have to rely on a ship or wait on others to go to and fro between their homes and this new universe. If reinforcements were needed on either side of the strain, the mandatory wait that had gone so far as cost lives before would not be an issue.

But Piccolo… he only glanced in to take in what all the commotion was about before walking off again. Right now, all he wanted to do was to avoid all contact with any sentient life form, and he pulled that off pretty well. The place was so large, it didn't take him long to find a deserted floor and settle himself in a far corner room to meditate.

Although the meditation wasn't as easy to get into as he would have hoped. It kept breaking on him from time to time as he unconsciously followed Kenturion's and Atsarute's movements by their ki. Eventually, however, the distraction lessened, since Atsarute rooted herself in the room with the Three Twenty-two, and Kenturion soon left, back to his own home world.

After that, he must have gotten a good two hours of meditation in before noticing that someone else came into the hall. Two people. Since he was still deep in meditation, he wasn't able to make out whom the ki belonged to until he pried his eyes open to see his "relatives", Toniko and Neil, as soon as they entered the room that he took occupation. Piccolo gave a slight laugh when he realized that he had completely forgotten about Neil after they had left Katatsu-sei, thinking of it as some sort of triumph over the state he was in not too long ago, back when he was constantly reminded of his presence.

"Well, Piccolo," Neil began nonchalantly, "If you remember, Atsarute said that we could go into her army's basic training if we wanted. The training areas have been prepared and we're about to move off to it. Since it's basic training, there aren't going to be any big fighters there like there was at that banquet, so the rest of us have a chance." The last bit he said in a slightly bitter tone, betraying the envy he felt when both Piccolo's were able to actually defeat high-ranked soldiers under Atsarute when he had trouble with the average footman.

Piccolo rose. "Very well." He glanced over at Toniko. "So I take it 'our' grandfather hasn't been informed of your choice, yet?"

The princess looked to the ground and spoke tentatively, "I want to train a little with her soldiers before I do… to show him that I can handle it."

Neil shifted her eyes to her. "I told you that he doesn't strike me as the type that would doubt your power, and Atsarute agrees with me."

"She's just procrastinating," Piccolo said coolly.

The comment made Toniko's defenses visually go up, but she sighed when she realized he was right and changed the subject. "I know the way to the training grounds, so I'll bring you both there myself. Everyone else is already preparing to move themselves, and we're expected to meet there."

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

They flew towards the site, which wasn't terribly far from the castle (but far enough to reduce the chance of damage). However, as they flew, Neil not only flew behind Toniko (instead of right beside her as Piccolo expected him to do), but he hung all the way back by Piccolo.

Before Piccolo could ask his half-brother why, Neil shot him a telepathic note: I can't stand being around that girl anymore.

Eh? What do you mean?

The way she acts towards me… I'm not used to that kind of attitude. It's not even like those weird girls back in our mother's school. It… frustrates me.

Piccolo oppressed his smirk since he knew that, even though he wanted to laugh at him, that he would soon be walking into ridicule for the same thing if he did. And you think that staying by me is preferable? Haven't we gotten quite tired of each other after so many years?

Neil made an audible growl. I don't like it either, but I seriously can't withstand her presence any longer. We've been wandering though that palace, talking about various things, and she shot me the strangest looks. It took me a while to recognize it as similar to how those Human females looked at their mates.

Does it make it any worse that you two are related as well, albeit through marriage?

YES! Neil was now mentally hissing at everything around him, which didn't get unnoticed by Toniko. She paused briefly to look back at them, then shrugged and continued.

See? Did you see how she was looking at me?

Neil, I think you're overreacting.

Oh, like you know what it's like to be in that kind of situation.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

Even "basic training" took naught more than three hours to wear out each of the warriors. The Pasuko-jin, who were given this as an initial run-through before they entered the military training, took turns groaning at the idea of enduring something even harder, and Toniko, even though she was just as determined as ever to enter the army herself, was groaning along with them. The Saiya-jin, as headstrong as they were, maintained that they only needed a little rest (and a lot of food) before they can go at it again. Kuririn was having flashbacks of his training under Kame-Sennin, half expecting someone to tie him to a tree and throw a rock at some sort of Sui-sei bee hive and tell him that he had to dodge them. Videl tried to go as long as at least Gohan, but soon passed out on the ground, and he warily carried her out of the way before returning to the brutal training.

The training was mostly a series of endurance trials, which had them carrying around large, spherical devices called "Atlas Orbs" on their backs, while jumping from surface to surface, running about in what seemed to be an evolving landscape that could change rapidly, even suddenly at times. One was able to change density (thus weight) of the Atlas Orbs at the turn of a dial on a console that also controlled the weather conditions of the large training area. Storms of all kinds could rage at the drop of the hat, even simultaneously at times. It was terribly trying on their conditions; who could imagine being pummeled with stinging-cold hail and searing-hot volcano bombs at the same time?

Now everyone was resting in the center area, a circle of calm, temperate weather that surrounded the room's control panel. Atsarute, who had lead them there, did not stay to train with them, but her brother Derosen was there, messing with the controls from time to time. But since everyone was too tired to continue, he now resolved himself to sitting in the training area himself, tossing one of the Atlas Orbs around playfully while singing something in Sui-go. Nobody paid any mind to it except Piccolo, who took a while to recognize it himself since he felt like Freeza came back from the dead and beat him up a hundred times over.

"What is that song?" he said.

"Hmm?" Derosen glanced over his shoulder at Piccolo. "Just an old folk song. Why?"

Piccolo strained for a moment to remember where he heard the melody before. "I think… yeah, I heard your sister hum it from time to time before." He even recalled a time when "Jin" hummed it lazily while dusting the blinds, looking otherwise lost in thought. I thought it was just some Voltaire song that I never heard.

"Oh yeah, it's one of Atsa-chan's favorites that Father used to sing quite often. Its title translates to… 'Nothing More Dangerous', and its pretty much about ransacking villages. Let me see if I could translate the chorus:

A good swig of liquor is the least you should try for,

And a room full of riches should be naught a start of your ambition,

But no matter you're goal, remember to be cautious,

For there's nothing more dangerous than

A dying man's breath, and a pregnant woman's scream.

"Wow, that sounds weird when it's not in Sui-go," he observed immediately afterwards.

"Derosen-sama!" A soldier called from outside the training room.

"Yes! What is it?"

"Someone has established a transmission and has asked for you."

"Tell them to wait. I'm in the training room, after all."

"Sir, it's your wife."

"What! Why didn't you say so earlier?" He sprung up and sprinted out the door.

A few moments later, the people left behind looked at each other.

"Is the training over for now, then?" Gohan asked.

Dr. Arufuredo adjusted his glasses. "I suppose so."

Vegita growled. "Who cares about that anymore? Who the Hell is going to get the food now?"

"Maybe Atsarute-sama will return with something later," Toniko noted, "She's not far off, after all. I think she just went to train alone again."

"Then let's go get her," Vegita rose, but Goku gestured otherwise.

"Vegita," he said, smiling while sweat drops traveled down his temples, "It's best not to bother Atsarute while she's training."

Vegita gave his rival a glare. "And why is that, Kakarotto?"

"Trust me on this one."

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

Atsarute entered of her own accord later, telling them that there was a meal ready just outside. But instead of sticking around, she went back to a private training chamber and locked herself in again, and one would not have waited long before hearing the sounds of training emanating from within. Derosen soon returned himself, and knocked on her door.

"Atsa! You're being summoned for communication!"

A growl came from behind the metallic slab. "Who is it?"

"The High Lord of Karigo-sei, Sanatoasu. I think he wants to have a training session with you soon."

There was a pause. "I'll be right there." The door soon opened and she stepped out, still fidgeting with her normal hide gi. "Didn't you say earlier that your wife is on Karigo-sei right now?"

"Yeah, I was just talking to her."

"Oh really? How is she?"

He blushed a bit. "She had some good news for me."

"Hmm?" Atsarute blinked, then grinned herself. "You're kidding!"

"Nope. She's 5 weeks pregnant."

"5 weeks? And you said that she left 4 weeks ago." She sniggered. "Geez, you never give her any rest, do you?"

"More like she never gives me any rest, if you know what I mean."

"Wow, this will be number three, right? How are your other brats, by the way?"

"Their doing fine, but you'd better hurry. You know how Sanatoasu hates waiting."

"Yeah, yeah. I'm on it. Do me a favor and don't tell Mother your good news until I leave. I don't feel like getting nagged about not getting married yet again." She ran off.

Derosen sighed and glanced over at the now-empty table. "Well, if you guys are finished, do you want to continue the training?"

"Derosen-sama," Toniko spoke up, "You said that was Lord Sanatoasu asking for Atsarute-sama?"

"Yes, why?"

"I just think its kind of strange for Atsarute-sama's other prophesized suitor to contact her so soon after her fight with Kenturion."

Other suitor? Piccolo consciously kept himself from cringing. That must be the other one she talked about when she was Jin, the one that she said was okay to spar with… and his mind added, though I still don't know what it means if Kenturion isn't actually as much of a jerk as she said he was…

Derosen shrugged. "Well, they both care for her, so I guess it shouldn't be too surprising that they both want to see her immediately to make sure she's all right after so long of being gone."

Toniko then mumbled something to herself under her breath in Namekku-go, intending not to be heard, "Why don't Atsarute and Sanatoasu just go ahead get married, anyway? Everyone knows that they already had sex…"

She didn't seem to notice that Piccolo was within Namekkian listening distance. He smacked his forehead. Okay, this is just getting ridiculous!


Okay, so I reverted back to the 2000 words length, plus not much happened except implied things. But it was fast atleast!