Disclaimer: I own nothing

Pairing: Goku/Kagome/Vegeta

Rated: M (dark themes, language)

"I've got to raise the Kaio-ken to times twenty somehow!" Goku frowned, "I have no idea how badly my body will take it, though. And he's only less than half!"

"As long as I find the Shikon, I'll be able to to fully transform into a Super Saiyan," Kagome said quietly, "It's somewhere in that general direction," She pointed to where Gohan and the others were standing, 'My Reiryouku must be rusty if I can't sense the exact location of the Shikon.'

"This is no time to be crying over your fate," Frieza stated, looking somewhat impatient for their next move, "Fate cannot be blamed here, only your stubbornness and refusal to give up." With that, Frieza wasted no more time talking and disappeared in a blur.

Goku gasped, unable to see his movements, though Kagome was lucky enough that she transformed partially, so she was able to spot it just in time. She blocked Frieza's punch with her forearm, ignoring the pain as she swept up her knee and jammed it into Frieza's stomach.

However, Frieza simply swerved around, slashing at her with his tail and making her crash into the rocky terrain. She tried to stand up, though Frieza was already right there and knocked her brutally back to the ground with a mere finger.

"Kagome!" Goku called out worriedly, charging though he was no where near quick enough. He groaned, slamming into the water when Frieza swung his tail once more. He scrambled to the surface, desperately ducking back into the lake when a Ki blast just barely missed beheading him.

Frieza smirked, keeping up his multiple blasts so Goku would not be able to surface for air, "Now, that's hardly fair!" Kagome snarled, gripping Frieza's tail before he could fly off to finish Goku for good. He glared back at her, blocking Kagome's leg with his own.

"I thought a tyrant like myself couldn't fight fair?" Frieza threw her previous words back at her, shoving her back into the rocks, "Is this really all you Saiyan monkeys have to offer?" He smoothly taunted.

Kagome growled at the insult, though didn't let her relief show externally when Goku finally broke from the water and inhaled the oxygen loudly. However, what she didn't expect was for Goku to let out an intense battle-cry; his Ki rising very rapidly that Frieza actually released Kagome in shock at the unexpected move.

"I won't lose to you!" Goku snarled, "For Gohan, for Kagome and Vegeta, for Chichi, for Namek and Earth – I won't ever give up!" He was suddenly covered in that eerie red Ki once more, only this time it was at a much higher level than usual, "Kaio-ken, times twenty!"

Frieza could not react as he was abruptly thrown away from Kagome, who simply blinked in shock at the intense power radiating off of Goku in waves, "KAA – MEE – HAA – MEE – HAAA!" Frieza snarled, trying to stop the Kamehameha wave with his hands. It was a few seconds later that he realised he could not and resorted to a desperate move as he blasted his own Ki into Goku's to neutralise them both.

After the smoke faded, both warriors were hovering in the air and panting quite harshly. Frieza curled his lip, looking quite furious as Goku frowned deeply, "Impossible! He's still in one piece?" He mumbled, disbelieving that Frieza could be so powerful, "So, he wasn't bluffing about using only half of his power?"

'That was far too close for comfort,' Frieza scowled, not amused, 'How does a creature so low as a Saiyan possess such unbelievable strength?' He glanced down at his burnt hands, clenching them when his anger only seemed to rise higher at the sight of his burnt flesh, "You filthy Saiyan monkey!" He landed on the ground only a few metres away from the panting Goku.

"Impressive, I actually felt that," Frieza glared deeply, "A little too much!" He charged forward, headbutting Goku quite ruthlessly. The Saiyan flew backwards, sliding roughly into the ground and finally grinding to a halt several feet away.

Goku slowly managed to his hands and knees while Frieza slowly, but deliberately walked up to him. Goku glared up defiantly, bracing himself for another merciless hit, though arms wrapped around his chest instead.

Frieza threw an icy piercing stare at Kagome as she safely transported Goku to a less dangerous position, "Goku, are you okay?" Kagome asked anxiously, tightening her arms around him comfortingly when his body shook with exhaustion.

"I... I don't think I can keep this up for much longer," Goku panted, "That Kaio-ken times twenty almost took all of my remaining energy to use. I'm through."

Kagome frowned, scrunching her face, "You're a Saiyan!" She tried to hurt his pride, though it didn't seem to work.

"I'm not a Saiyan like you or Vegeta," Goku replied, "I can never be a Saiyan. I'm an Earthling."

"You are like the definition of our race, so don't give me that shit!" Kagome felt her own blood boil at his words, "The blood running through your veins, that perfect instinct for battle – stop trying to deny what you really are. You have to reach down deep and feel the pain of our species, the one who decimated us is standing right in front of you – does that not enrage you?" Goku stared at her with wide eyes, "My father, your father, and even Vegeta's father – they're gone! We're the only ones who survive and Frieza will not stop until we are completely erased, because he fears that a Super Saiyan will rise from the ashes and wipe him out!"

Goku stared blankly at the ground, Kagome's words running over and over in his mind as Kagome stood up to glare at Frieza, "Now, I cannot fathom what is running through your inferior minds right now," Frieza raised his arm threateningly, "And that pisses me off!" He simply cut his arm through the air, causing the ground to split and crack right in front of the two Saiyans.

"Kagome," Goku said, though he didn't even look at her, "Earth has always been my home, so I don't know that I fit the Saiyan description, but I do understand what you're saying! I – we have to win! Too many people are depending on that!" He glanced over to Kagome, "Can you keep him busy for a few seconds?" He asked quietly.

Kagome narrowed her aquamarine eyes, "Do you have a plan or something?" She asked, nodding positively while smirking, "Yeah, I think I can manage it." She charged forward without another word, matching Frieza punch-for-punch as Goku raised both his arms high over his head.

'The Spirit Bomb is the last thing I wanted to use,' Goku watched carefully as Kagome tried to keep Frieza distracted long enough, 'If I mess up, then I could end up destroying Namek-sei instead! But if I don't hit Frieza with this, the entire universe will be under his feet! It's drastic, but it's all I've got left!'

Kagome didn't flinch when Frieza slammed his fist into her cheek, and responded with a harsh kick to his shin. She barely managed to glance back to Goku, widening her eyes at the familiar stance, 'He's doing that attack again – the one he used to bring down Vegeta!'

"Now what could your little partner be doing over there?" Frieza asked in a dangerously curious voice, eyeing Goku's motionless stance, not noticing how sparkling life-energy flowed from the surrounding environment and atmosphere to form a giant ball of Ki above them.

'He must have called on energy from beyond Namek,' Kagome thought, looking a bit shocked at the massive size of the Spirit Bomb, "I-it's huge!" She mumbled, catching Frieza's attention and he glanced up to where she was looking.

Frieza immediately froze in shock, "W-what the hell is that? Is... is that energy?" He gasped, his crimson eyes widening at the massive size, "How did that Saiyan mongrel manage to scrounge up that much Ki?"

"Pay attention to your surroundings!" Kagome snarled, thrusting her heavy boot into Frieza's face and smashing it roughly. Frieza brutally slammed into the ground, not having any time to recover as she didn't let up in her merciless assault.

"Just a little bit longer, Kagome!" Goku said, concentrating deeply to completely form his Spirit Bomb, "Not too much longer!"

Kagome flinched, feeling Frieza's thick tail wrap around her throat and he pounded her into the dirt, harshly stepping on her chest armour with his feet, "I see, now," Frieza smirked, "You were just the distraction while your friend there would attempt to blindside me with that energy," He shook his head in mock disappointment, "Really? I thought I taught you better than that, Kagome!"

Kagome growled, struggling under him as he pointed a single finger at her, "Now, tell me, Kagome," Frieza said casually, charging his Ki threateningly, "Do you think that your companion will really be able to hold his concentration if I kill you here and now?"

Kagome tensed, closing her eyes and waiting for the final blow. However, three separate energies collided with Frieza just as he was about to release his own power, causing him to shift off of Kagome and allowing her to slip out quickly.

"What...?" Kagome mumbled, glancing back behind her to see where that energy had come from. She blinked, seeing Gohan, Piccolo, and Krillin all standing in an offensive position; obviously being the ones who had just saved her.

Frieza smiled dangerously, "So, the little pests decided to intervene, after all," His eyes twitched in irritation, "They just won't rest until I've been pushed to the very limits of my patience!" He laughed, veins popping out on his head as he clenched his fists angrily, "You meddling brats! You will all suffer the same fate as this worthless planet!" He screamed, a very frightening black Ki danced over his fingertips and he smirked insanely as he hovered high into the air.

"Is it done yet?" Kagome asked anxiously, bounding right beside Goku as she glanced up at the immense Spirit Bomb, "You have to hurry faster!" She urged, flicking her eyes over to Frieza.

Goku let out a loud cry, feeling the Spirit Bomb form completely and throwing his arms to direct the Spirit Bomb towards Frieza.

Frieza gasped, glancing behind him to see an even larger wave of energy come down from the atmosphere, "W-what have you done?" His black Ki was no match for Goku's Spirit Bomb and it faded quickly under the pressure.

"Get down!" Goku cried out, shoving Kagome face-first into the dirt and protectively covering her body with his much larger one. Gohan, Piccolo, and Krillin made the same move from their location, knowing the proceeding moments would be one big bang.

"I won't be subdued by mere monkeys!" Frieza snarled defiantly, attempting to stop the Spirit Bomb with his bare hands. It slowly, but surely managed to push him down and Frieza screamed loudly in a blinding flash of light.

Everyone braced themselves against the severe shock waves and winds that followed. It was several minutes later when it finally died down and Krillin slowly climbed up on a rock as the surroundings were almost now completely drenched in water.

"You okay, Krillin-san?" Gohan called out with a wide smile, descending from the air and landing on the rock that Krillin stood atop of.

"Yeah." Krillin said, glancing around for the others, though he didn't spot them in the immediate vicinity.

Gohan eyed the surroundings nervously, "I don't see Dad or Kagome or Piccolo-san!" He said worriedly, glancing down to his clenched fist where the Shikon lay, "That Spirit Bomb was huge! What if they all got swept away?" He watched the water with serious eyes, "I don't sense any of them!"

"Well, of course you can't!" Krillin tried to comfort the boy, "You barely have any energy left to concentrate with!" And with them giving almost all their extra Ki to the Spirit Bomb, it was amazing that they didn't get swept away themselves.

Gohan narrowed his eyes, pointing in a direction, "Look, I see something!" His heart beat anxiously when a two pairs of arms appeared from the water and grabbed onto a small patch of remaining ground. Gohan grinned widely when he saw it was Piccolo and Goku, the latter holding on tightly to Kagome, "It's Dad! He's alive!" Gohan cheered loudly, "And so is Kagome and Piccolo-san!" He jumped for joy along with Krillin.

The two awkwardly took to the air, wobbling because their energy was so low, "Hey, Dad!" Gohan cried out happily, landing as Piccolo smirked at them.

"Gohan..." Goku said with relief, smiling tiredly at his son and only releasing Kagome to wrap his arms around Gohan's neck.

Kagome and Piccolo said nothing at the heart-warming scene, and Krillin whooped loudly, "You did it, Goku! That was so awesome!" Goku gave an exhausted grin to his best friend.

Kagome eyed Gohan, sensing something very familiar, "Gohan," She spoke up, causing him to release Goku and look at her curiously, "You found it, didn't you?" She asked with a knowing smile and Gohan nodded timidly and stepped up to her while holding out his hand.

"Please, just take it away!" Gohan said quickly, not liking the dark voices whispering in his head, "It is the Shikon thing, right?" He asked and everyone glanced at Kagome as she took it from his hand.

"Yes," Kagome didn't take her eyes off the blood-stained jewel, "This is the Shikon no Tama," She murmured, clenching her fist around it, "With this here, I can fully become a Super Saiyan."

"You mean," Krillin blinked, pointing at her accusingly, "You aren't a Super Saiyan yet?" He asked in shock, gazing at her blonde-streaked hair and aquamarine eyes curiously.

"Not fully," Kagome admitted, "There is something holding me back, but I'm not going to get into the details," She gave Krillin a teasing look, "It'd probably be too much for your human brain, Kuririn-chan!"

"It's Krillin! KRILLIN! K-R-I-L-L-I-N!" Krillin huffed, crossing his arms, "It's not that hard to say!"

"Right, sorry, I stuttered," Kagome smirked, feeling amused as the small human seemed rather riled up at his butchered name, "I guess I should see if storing that into the Shikon will let me become a Super Saiyan..."

Piccolo curled his lip, baring his fangs, "What is that thing?" He demanded, feeling strangely drawn to the small jewel. He could hear alluring whispering voices in his head just standing near the jewel, tempting him to steal and take it away. Before this whole Saiyan business, he probably would have given in and taken it, but he was far too strong-willed now and batting away the desire was like killing a fly.

"The Shikon is very similar to the Dragon Balls," Kagome stated, "It is very powerful and can give its possessor great strength and grant them any wish they desire." She explained, not wanting to say anymore than that.

"So, if you had that in your possession, then why did you Saiyans come to Earth for the Dragon Balls?" Piccolo asked accusingly, noticing that Kagome could not look him in the eye after the question.

"Aww, c'mon!" Goku waved it off, seeing how uncomfortable Kagome was, "Midoriko said that Kagome has the Shikon for a reason and I completely trust her!" He wasn't sure why his heart seemed to skip a beat when Kagome smiled at him gratefully.

"Tch." Piccolo snorted, letting the issue go for now.

'I guess I should start extracting it,' Kagome eyed the Shikon, smirking bitterly when a very familiar voice rang throughout her mind, 'Naraku... are you happy to feel my presence?' She frowned, closing her eyes and clenching her hand tightly around the pink jewel.

Gohan gasped, "Kagome...!" He widened his eyes with everyone else, seeing a blue energy surround Kagome as it seemed to slowly seep into the Shikon, "What's happening?"

Kagome bit her lip, not answering Gohan's question as she felt a deep internal pain from the small piece of soul that she was parting with for the moment, forcing it into the Shikon no Tama along with all the Reiryouku she possessed in her Saiyan body.

"Your hair...!" Goku blinked, seeing that the golden tips of Kagome's hair were slowly overcoming her black locks, and her hair fully shined with a gold hue. The tips remained spiked and she opened her eyes to reveal them as an almost green colour, "Are you a... Super Saiyan now?" He asked blankly.

Kagome curiously looked at her hands, feeling a rather immense power surge through her now that her Reiryouku was no longer blocking the almost demonic Saiyan energy.

'I guess I'll just have to keep this very close from now on,' Kagome thought, tucking the Shikon into her chest armour and between her breasts until she could find a strong chain to hold it on, "Yeah, I think I'm a Super Saiyan now," She smiled at Goku, "Though it's a little too late for that now! I'm sorry."

"No, no!" Goku waved his arms comically around, "It was because of you that I was able to charge the Spirit Bomb up!" He scratched the back of his head, unsure why he felt so nervous, "You really helped me back there!"

Goku cleared his throat, avoiding looking at Kagome for the moment, "Well, ready to head home?" He asked, "Lucky for us, my little spaceship should be able to get us back to Earth in about six days!"

"Yay!" Gohan cheered, "I get to see Mom again!" He jumped for joy, "And in less than a week!" His exiting hops abruptly stopped when Krillin let out a terrified shout, "What is it?" He asked hesitantly, seeing the fear on Krillin's face.

"Wasn't Bulma-san with us? Where is she now?" Krillin asked nervously, "Do you think she was swept away by the Spirit Bomb?"

Goku sighed, patting his chest to calm his rapidly beating heart, "C'mon, Krillin!" He whined, "Don't freak me out like that! From the look on your face, I thought that Frieza popped back up!"

"Yeah, well," Krillin appeared rather anxious, "Frieza is nothing compared to Bulma-san when she is angry!" He shuddered at the thought of the blue-haired woman's infamous temper.

Goku and Gohan laughed at the little joke, though the former winced when pain throbbed throughout his entire body at the motions, "Don't make me laugh, I don't think my body can take it!"

Kagome sighed silently, knowing she wouldn't be able to suppress any of Goku's pain while her Reiryouku was sealed into the Shikon, "I guess we should head out." She mumbled, blushing lightly as she moved so Goku was leaning heavily on her. Her flush deepened when Goku smiled gratefully at her for the small help.

Piccolo glanced around, wanting to take in his home planet's surroundings for the last time, "At least my kin and the Grand Elder can rest in peace now."

Krillin looked at Piccolo questioningly, though his voice immediately froze when he glanced up past Piccolo, "Krillin?" Goku asked in concern, seeing Krillin shake in terror.

Everyone glanced over to where Krillin looking and all of them froze in horror to see that Frieza was standing close by on a rock.

"Frieza!" Goku growled, completely disbelieving what his eyes were telling him.

"This can't be happening! How can anyone go against a Spirit Bomb that size and live?" Krillin gasped in fear.

"N-no way!" Gohan took a step back in fright, trying to shield himself behind Goku's legs as Frieza stared impassively at them.

Frieza did not say a word as he let loose a lethal projection of Ki, aiming straight for Goku's heart. However, Kagome acted quickly by his side, releasing him as she stood protectively in front of him and flicked the Ki away with her hand.

"Bravo!" Frieza laughed darkly, "You nearly brought the all-mighty Frieza down! I've never come quite so close with death before!"

Kagome glared, her body shining in a golden hue as her Super Saiyan strength came to life at the sight of Frieza, "Run. All of you," She ordered, "Your ship can't be too far from here, Goku. Go find that human woman and set your course for Earth."

"But–!" Goku immediately protested, though Kagome stopped his words with an icy glare.

"I'm not going to be joining you, so don't get any ideas about waiting around for me," She frowned darkly when nobody moved an inch, "Snap out of it, you morons!" She growled.

"No, I refuse!" Goku snapped back, "I'm fighting with you, Kagome!"

"With what?" Kagome sneered, "I can sense that you barely have any strength left! You'll just get in my way!" Goku looked shocked at her tone.

"You're serious..." Gohan whimpered, taking a step back in shock when Frieza suddenly picked up Krillin with his power, "Krillin-san!"

"I hope you aren't afraid of heights!" Frieza hissed, thrusting Krillin high into the air and laughing darkly at their gasps of shock. He clenched his hand, blowing Krillin to mere pieces as he screamed his final words.

"GOKU!"

Nothing remained as the smoke faded away as Goku stared blankly at the sky, shaking uncontrollably as Gohan whimpered in fear as Frieza eyed him, "I think the half-breed brat should go next!" He smirked sadistically, enjoying the fear in Gohan's eyes.

"You... you... MONSTER!" Goku trembled in rage, his Ki rising dramatically at the shock of his best friend's unexpected death. His hair flickered back and forth between black and blond, until it finally decided on the latter as it stood straight up to defy gravity.

"W-what?" Frieza gasped at the rise in power, now seeing that Goku was in a similar state that Kagome was in.

Kagome, Gohan, and Piccolo all stared in awe at Goku's golden-hued Ki surroundings him, 'Does it take a close one's death to finally reach a Super Saiyan?' Kagome could not help but to wonder, her Ki also rising as her thoughts flicked back to Vegeta.

"Run, both of you!" Goku commanded, "Find Bulma and the spaceship and get out of here!" He growled angrily when Gohan merely shivered in response, and for the first time, he lost his temper at his son, "GO NOW! Leave before I lose what little reason I have left!"

Gohan nodded slowly and he grabbed at Piccolo's loose pants as the two flew up and listened to Goku's orders. The two left the scene quickly as Frieza stood still and eyed the two Saiyans in horror.

"W-what is this?" Frieza stammered, feeling fear for the first time in a long time, "I thought their kind were only able to transform into giant monkeys!" His body shuddered against his will, "And this is no monkey!"

Kagome glanced over to Goku, narrowing her aquamarine eyes, 'I think I know of a way to end this quickly! Even before Gohan can leave this planet...' She thought slowly, turning her eyes back to Frieza.

Frieza gasped as she suddenly appeared in front of him and Goku tensed, though staying back to see what she would do.

"Frieza," Kagome purred darkly, eyeing her former tyrant menacingly, "You want immortality, don't you?" She asked, not even waiting for Frieza's answer to say her next words.

"Well, I can give it to you."

Almost done with epically-long arc!

Review and the next chapter will come really soon!