Finally, after nearly a year... I'm finally getting back to this story. I'll try to add one to two new chapters a week but don't get your hopes too high. College is more important after all. Just to let you know now, after Act 3 is finished, there will be many cameo appearances. Want to know who they are? Wait and see... ;D

After 100 Years

Once Vegeta, Trunks and Issun were out of the Gale Shrine, they ran into Princess Fuse and the other five remaining Satomi Canine Warriors.

Princess Fuse: "Why, my favorite men and little bug have safely returned! When the windmill at the shrine began spinning, I knew it was you. A most refreshing wind began to blow down into our village. You have defeated Crimson Helm and restored the Divine Wind! The Canine Warriors rejoice, but they're a handful as usual... I don't know how to thank you for all you have done..."

Yatsu: "I, too, would like to give thanks to these heroic travelers. And Princess Fuse, last of the Satomi House, you have done well."

Issun: "What? You know Princess Fuse?"

Yatsu: "Indeed I do, for I was her husband and head priest of the shrine! My lingering fears about Kusa Village kept my spirit here, but thanks to you, I can now travel to the great beyond. Princess Fuse and the Canine Warriors still have much to learn, but I have no doubt they will prosper. I shall watch over them. Farewell. I shall pray for your good health and prosperity!"

Vegeta, Issun and Trunks watched as Yatsu drifted away. His spirit, finally at rest.

Princess Fuse: "What is it, you two? What were you looking at?"

Issun: "Hm? Oh, nothing... Anyway, Princess, there's no need to thank us. Just keep protecting the village as head priestess of the shrine! I know you'll have your hands full with those pesky canines!"

Princess Fuse: "I have been rather feeble since the last head priest perished... But as head priestess, I shall now dedicate my life to the shrine while keeping the remaining 5 Canine Warriors in line!"

Issun: "That's the spirit!"

Vegeta: "Don't go easy on them!"

And with that, Vegeta and his group left the Gale Shrine. Where they were going to go next was a mystery.

Issun: "Whoa there, Geta! Let's think about our next step before we scurry off. Was that shadowy creature with those heads really that monster? Our future's pretty bleak unless we do something about it. I mean, I'm too young to die!"

At the word 'future' Vegeta looked over at Trunks with a warning glance. When it came to the future, this Trunks would rant on and on about it.

Vegeta: "Don't you even think about it."

Future Trunks: "Yes sir!"

Issun: "I'd like a chance to use all these brush techniques, too!"

At that very comment, Vegeta snapped his finger and looked at Trunks.

Vegeta: "That's why he's here!"

Future Trunks: "Why am I not surprised!?"

Father and son started laughing.

Issun: "... ..."

Vegeta: "Oh come on, Issun! I'm just teasing you!"

Issun: "You didn't even so much as growl at that shadowy creature. Your mother slayed that monster long ago, right?"

At that, Vegeta feel silent. He had almost forgotten why he was on this journey in the first place.

Issun: "I bet her partner Nagi was the stronger of those two."

And just like that, the saiyan prince's silence turned to snarling.

Vegeta: "You're asking for it!"

Issun: "Or maybe that legendary sake really packed a punch? ... ... Yeah, it must've been the sake! Geta! The legendary sake is back in that village, isn't it? And isn't it about time for that village's annual festival? Let's go see if we can get a taste of that special brew! It just might do us some good! Besides, a good festival's always fun. If I could get Sakuya a little tipsy, then maybe... Heh heh... Geta, I suddenly feel like a new man. Let's go!"

Before Issun could give him any more disturbing images, Vegeta ran off. He had forgotten why he was here in Nippon in the first place and that was for the festival celebrating the defeat of Orochi 100 years ago. It was also 14 years ago today when he first came to earth and since then, Vegeta has proven to be of some seriously great help in defending the earth. The two saiyans and Poncle were delighted to see the people of Kusa Village come alive once again with the return of their beloved wind. There weren't many things that needed to be restored, so it only took the saiyan prince a few minutes to finish restoring the village. Now that Kusa Village was restored, Vegeta, Trunks and Issun headed off to Kamiki Village. Along the way to Kamiki, the three of them stopped at the City Checkpoint which was home to the Big Drawbridge. The guard Yoichi and his sleepy soldier friend told them that no one was aloud to pass due to an illness spreading across Sei-An City. For now, Vegeta thought, they were going to wait and see if the illness would pass and everything returned to normal at the city before the idea of forcing their way in had to be considered. And so they went back through Taka Pass and Agata Forest as day turned to dusk. Instead of taking the usual route to Shinshu Field, they used the other cave pathway by Hitoshio Spring. They were unready for what they saw. The path took them to a cliff just above the other tunnel. The minute they stepped onto the cliff, they saw that the sky was dark and cloudy. It gave Vegeta an eire feeling.

Issun: "Looks like it could start pouring at any moment. We might even be in for a storm."

Vegeta: "I don't think so."

Future Trunks: "Father, look!"

Vegeta focused in the direction that his son was pointing at. Right above Kamiki Village was a full moon.

Issun: "That's what I call a full moon! Come to think of it... Doesn't the Kamiki Festival fall on a full moon this time of year!? Oh no. they're gonna finish off all the sake if we don't hurry! C'mon on Geta, get the lead out!"

For the first time, Vegeta didn't argue. From what they could piece together, Shiranui and Nagi used sake to weaken Orochi and since Orochi has returned they needed the sake, much to Vegeta's dislike. It didn't take long for the saiyans to race across Shinshu Field and enter the village. As they did, dusk turned to night but you wouldn't know it from the black clouds that loomed over the village. When they entered the village, Vegeta could sense that something had happened already. The air was think with an uneasy feeling, something that made Trunks shiver.

Vegeta: "Scared?"

Future Trunks: "N-No."

Vegeta: "It's ok, Trunks. I'm a little scared myself. To be honest... My heart is racing."

Future Trunks: "You're scared too?"

Vegeta: "Even the greatest of warriors feel fear now and then."

Issun: "What are we going to do?"

Vegeta: "Let's find Kakarot or Mr. Orange. One of them will tell us what's going on."

As they traveled down the hill, they discovered that nearly everyone was gathered just outside of Susano's home. Goku and the others weren't there but all of the villagers were. Surely one of them would tell Vegeta what was going on. Without hesitation, Vegeta ran over to the crowd and gently pushed his way through.

Issun: "Hey, what's everyone doing in front of Susano's place?"

The saiyan prince quickly took notice of the angry Mr. Orange.

Mr. Orange: "You come out here this instant, Susano! You have some explaining to do! How could you have drunk the sacred sake meant for Konohana!?"

Issun: "Huh!? Susano did what!?"

Mrs. Orange: "You can come out, Susano. We're not mad at you. You must've had some reason to drink up the 8 Purification Sake."

At that very moment, Vegeta felt his heart skip a beat as his eyes flew wide.

Issun: "Uh-oh. This is bad. Why would you drink all the 8 Purification Sake, pops!?"

Susano: "I don't care if it's so special! I couldn't help myself. I just had to have a drink!"

Mr. Orange: "Well, it wasn't any old sake, and this isn't any old festival! It's been exactly 100 years since Nagi and Shiranui's great victory! We've even been blessed by a glorious full moon! How could you have done such a despicable thing!?"

Mr. Orange was so mad that his wife had to hold him back.

Susano: "Leave me alone! I don't care about Nagi and his fleabag friend!"

Vegeta: (Under his breath) "What did you say about my mother?"

Susano: "I am Susano, the greatest warrior who ever lived! *hiccup*"

Vegeta: "There's a difference between a warrior and a drunken coward, you moron!"

Issun: "There isn't a drop of 8 Purification Sake left!?"

Mushi: "Susano was acting like a madman when he returned to the village. He drank all of the sacred sake and then holed up in his house."

Mushi pointed to the barrel that Kushi brewed the sake in. It was bone dry.

Mushi: "All the sacred sake Kushi brewed is gone."

Issun: "Why'd he have to go and do that!? This is terrible. I mean, 8 Purification Sake is what saved the day in that legend! The timing couldn't be worse, with the return of Orochi and all."

"Vegeta!"

Vegeta immediately turned around and saw Goku running towards him.

Vegeta: "Kakarot. Where are the others?"

Goku: "They're all under the sacred Konohana tree. When all of this started happening, I knew it wouldn't be long before you showed up again so I waited here and checked on everyone every few minutes. What's going on, Vegeta!? Does all of this have something to do with Orochi's return!?"

Before Vegeta could say a word, there was a thud inside the small house. All eyes immediately locked on the door.

Susano: "The dreaded Orochi... It's all my fault. *hiccup* I'm to blame for all your misfortunes!"

Mr. Orange: "That's right, you fool! Do you realize what a fix we're in now without any sacred sake!?"

Susano: "It was I who committed that unspeakable act at the Moon Cave."

Future Trunks: "Are you saying that you're-"

Susano: "It was I who brought Orochi back to life! I have brought utter destruction upon the world! *sob*"

The news sent a shock wave down Vegeta and Issun's spines. Goku, as well as Trunks, were in utter shock.

Mr. Orange: "Huh? What is that fool talking about?"

Goku: "Vegeta... Tell me I'm hearing things."

The earth raised saiyan looked down at his friend. The look in the prince's eyes said it all and Goku fell to his knees.

Goku: "Even I'm no match for that!"

Susano: "I was sick of hearing about how I'm a descendant of Nagi! *hiccup* I wanted to prove it was all a lie by removing the sword Tsukuyomi. But the legend was true, and I've unleashed an unspeakable evil! And the curse consumed all of Nippon!"

Mr. Orange: "This is madness! You removed the sacred sword that imprisoned the dreaded Orochi!?"

Susano: "I fled to the village out of fear... *hiccup* Then, I blocked its entrance with a boulder and hid underground."

Vegeta: "You... Pushed the boulder..."

Susano: "After that, I tried fleeing here and there... But the gods would not leave me be! Ever they stared down at me! They let it be known that I'd never be forgiven... At least, not until I slew the dreaded Orochi! *sob*"

Vegeta felt sick upon hearing Susano's words.

Vegeta: "So all this time... I've been... *sigh* How could I be so stupid."

Mr. Orange: "I knew that Tsukuyomi was removed and the Moon Cave vanished... But if what Susano said is true, that would mean... Orochi's rite of sacrifice..."

Just then, things seemed to go from bad to worse when the rest of the Z Fighters appeared.

Gohan: "Dad, what's going on?"

Yamcha: "Are we in any serious danger?"

Goku: "Guys!"

Suddenly, a loud roar echoed through the night sky. The very second the roar stopped, Vegeta ran out to the bridge. Hayabusa looked up towards the sound. Quickly, the saiyan prince leaped onto the rocks and readied himself as a flash of light appeared in the distance. Just like in the legend, 8 symbols appeared. Vegeta snarled and roared as everyone ran out on the bridge. Then the 8 symbols swirled around before they merged together and became the cursed arrow in the legend.

Vegeta: "Everyone! GET DOWN!!!"

The arrow lunched itself across the sky at a tremendous speed. The villagers hurried away from the bridge. Trunks and Goku got everyone of their friends and family down. Vegeta snatched Mr. Orange and, just as he was waiting to do, Hayabusa rushed over and snatched Mushi just in time before the arrow hit its mark. As everyone picked themselves up, they all glanced at the arrow. It was embedded in Kushi's house.

Mr. Orange: "On the eve of the full moon, the 8-headed serpent shall appear, and the accursed arrow shall mark the home of the chosen maiden.' It is exactly as the legend tells! If we don't offer the chosen maiden as a sacrifice, our entire village will be wiped off the face of the earth!"

There was a long pause of silence. But then Kushi turned to Susano's home.

Kushi: "Susano. You're no coward. If the gods tell you to fight, you're the only one who can! You can do it. After all, you saved me, didn't you? I know you can do it. I know you'll come!"

Mr. Orange: "Wait, Kushi! You're not going to...!?"

Suddenly, the young woman ran inside her home. Moments later, she came out in a white robe and was holding a yellow sake jug.

Kushi: "Behold, my Thunder Brew! The great Nagi intoxicated Orochi and defeated him! My sake is my life. Surely it can intoxicate even Orochi!"

And without any second thoughts, Kushi ran off towards the Moon Cave.

Issun: "Hey, Kushi! Wait! She's not going to take on Orochi herself, is she!?"

Vegeta turned around and saw his friends and family getting up. The saiyan rushed over to them as Mr. Orange ran after Kushi.

Mr. Orange: "No, Kushi! Wait!"

But it was no use. Out of breath, the old man had to give up. Back at the Z Fighters...

Vegeta: "Is everyone ok!?"

Krillin: "Yeah I think so."

Future Trunks: "What is she thinking!? There's no way she can beat Orochi!"

Vegeta: "Kushi's gone, Kakarot. She left for the Moon Cave."

Roshi: "She what!?"

Piccolo: "This is just like the old legend isn't it!"

Issun: "I hate to say it but yes."

Goku: "Are you going after Kushi, Vegeta?"

Vegeta: "I have no choice. I must defeat Orochi if I'm to save her, the village and get you back to normal."

There was a long pause from Goku, and then...

Goku: "So... I guess this is it, huh. Going up against Orochi. Only... This time... I can't help you..."

There was tension in the air among all of them. Everyone could feel how nervous Vegeta was and he could feel how worried they were too. After all... Amaterasu, his own mother, was killed by Orochi.

Bulma: "Vegeta."

Vegeta turned around quickly to Bulma. When he looked at her, he could see fear in her eyes and he knew why. His mother died from the fight with Orochi, and Bulma was worried that he too would die. While clearing his throat, Vegeta looked to the others. Goku and Val knew what Vegeta was trying to tell them right away.

Goku: "Ah guys, lets give Bulma and Vegeta some time alone, ok."

Everyone took the hint. All but Hercule that is.

Hercule: "Why should I leave?"

Val: "Because I'll rip your tongue out if you don't."

But still like always, Hercule did not move. Seeing that he was still standing there, looking at her, Val lost her temper.

Val: (Shouting at the top of her lungs) "MOVE HERCULE!!"

Seeing that Val was angry, Hercule ran as fast as he could to catch up with the others. Soon after Val also left and as she walked off, the saboron felt a smile tug at her mouth. Vegeta would never admit it to anyone else, but she knew that her saiyan friend loved Bulma with all of his heart. Vegeta lifted his hand and quickly ran it through his widows peak several times. On the fourth time, he finally shook Issun off.

Issun: "Hey! What's the big idea!"

Vegeta: "You too Issun."

Issun: "Why should I?"

Vegeta bared his teeth and snapped them within inches of Issun. That was all Issun needed and the Poncle hopped off, following Val.

Vegeta: "Trunks."

Future Trunks: "I know."

Soon after Val was out of sight, Trunks followed. When everyone was out of his sight, the saiyan turned back to Bulma.

Vegeta: "Why are you scared, Bulma?"

Bulma: "I'm..... I'm.... I'm afraid that you might be killed. I mean, your mother was killed and she was a god! How do I know it won't happen to you? I don't want to loose you Vegeta."

Vegeta looked at the ground. She was scared and he had to admit that he too was worried. He had only found 7 of his mothers 13 brush gods, and when she fought Orochi she had all 13 and she knew how to use them! But they both knew that he had too or Kushi will be eaten. Not to mention that he would stay like this. Bulma looked up from the ground and saw Vegeta looking at her with a comforting smile.

Vegeta: "Bulma, I'll be fine. I'm much stronger than my mother was back then and I'll have Issun with me. He knows the story of Orochi's fight with Amaterasu inside and out."

Bulma: "I still don't like him."

Vegeta: "Plus I have no choice. If I don't defeat Orochi, Kushi will die, Orochi will rule the planet, Kakarot will continue to grow aggressive and I'll stay like this forever. Do you want that?"

Bulma only shook her head in response. Vegeta called for Issun and Trunks. The Poncle and his son came strait back. Bulma watched as Vegeta began to walk off to face Orochi at the Moon Cave, her heart sinking a little with each step that he took. Vegeta stopped and called to her, but he didn't turn around.

Vegeta: "Listen for my howl. If you hear it, that means I've won."

Bulma smiled as he turned around with a smile. Seeing that smile... She knew he would be ok. Then the saiyan turned to the future version of his son.

Vegeta: "I want you to stay here, Trunks. This fight is mine and mine alone, and I'm not taking the risk of losing another family member to that monster."

At first, Future Trunks didn't understand. But then he understood why and agreed to stay. Knowing that Trunks was going to stay back, Vegeta bolted off after Kushi. But not before stopping one last time and looking back at a large group of people. His friends, his family... The ones he held dear to his heart. He prayed to his fellow gods that he would see them again. As they watched Vegeta run off after Kushi, Goku and the others couldn't help but pray as well.

Goku: "Good luck, Vegeta."