Oko stared ahead of her as she flew, her arms crossed tightly to her chest. She worried for her father... she worried for both of them. At this point, Goku was like a second father to her. If she lost EITHER of them, she didn't know how she'd react. To be honest, she didn't know who she'd cry for more. Goku... or her blood father. It really pained her to think that she may mourn more for Goku more than Vegeta.

"Oko? Are you feeling okay?" Krillin asked. His voice snapped Oko out of her thoughts. She looked at Krillin and nodded. Krillin stared, his expression filled with concern. "Ya know... you can talk to me. You don't have to keep up the whole tough warrior princess act."

Oko was silent before sighing. "I'm..."

She couldn't bring herself to speak. She glared ahead of her and gripped her arms tightly. Krillin waited patiently, frowning gently out of pure worry for the young girl. Oko felt tears sting her eyes, but did her best to hold them back. She took a shaky breath and shrugged lightly. "I'm... I'm concerned... for my dad..."

Krillin nodded and gave her a comforting smile. "Hey, they'll be fine. Vegeta and Goku are the toughest guys I know. And them working together? Well, that's the deadliest combo ever."

Oko was silent, processing Krillin's words. She didn't say a word the rest of the flight back. Sure, Goku and her father were strong, but she honestly didn't think they were as strong as Jeice and Ginyu. Hell, Frieza would probably be able to crush their skulls in no problem. She wondered if she should just give up here. If she showed herself to Frieza, he would instantly kill her. She wondered if he would kill her quickly. A quick chi blast to the head? Or would he torture her first? Maybe she'd get shot in the chest and die slowly on the ground? The thoughts of all that could happen were swimming through her head. She'd rather die herself than see her father or anyone else die. She couldn't handle seeing such a thing. These people... They were her family. She'd rather die trying to protect them rather than seeing them die with her doing nothing to save them. So... no. She couldn't surrender to Frieza. If he were to do something to her loved ones, she would never forgive herself.

They were on their way to Frieza's ship. Oko could sense he was away. They were just heading there to pick up the dragon balls then leave. Oko really didn't want any trouble. They arrived and landed on the ground. Krillin looked around then ran over to the dragon balls. He counted them all quickly. Oko looked around, frowning gently and making sure the coast was clear. Gohan stood next to her, watching her.

"You look mad," he said with a frown. Oko looked at him and frowned.

"I do?"

He nodded quickly. "Mhm! Or worried. Maybe both."

Oko rolled her eyes and sighed. "You seem pretty relaxed knowing your father is going up against one of the universe's best warriors..."

Gohan frowned then shrugged, looking at the ground and playing with his fingers nervously. "Well... I know he's going to win! My dad always wins somehow!"

Oko stared at him, still tense and worried. He looked at her then smiled.

"Don't you believe him?" he asked. "And your own dad! Together, they can do anything!"

She nodded a little and sighed. "I... I'm... I'm scared, Gohan."

Gohan frowned and she sniffled a little bit, her body tense.

"I'm really scared," she muttered, trying her best not to sound tearful as her eyes watered. "F-Frieza had Zarbon try to kill me before and that was so scary and..."

She felt her tears fall and quickly wiped them away. "I-I don't want anyone else to die, okay? I feel dumb, b- but I want to make sure everyone is okay and I can't do that 'cause I'm not strong enough! A-And I never WILL be strong enough to protect them! A-And..."

At that, she started to cry. Sometimes, she herself forgot she was still just a child. She kept up that tough and rude exterior because it was all she knew. She was only three when this all started. Now, she was nearly seven and could barely remember anything from her blood father. She felt guilty. He was her real father, yet she could only remember bits and pieces of him. She had more memories with the people she had met on Earth than with Vegeta. She still loved him. She loved him a lot. Even if she loved her friends on Earth... if she had the chance, she'd go back in time and be with Vegeta. Because, more than anything, in this moment, she wanted to hug her father.

She couldn't remember the last time her father hugged her. It had been so long. But his hold would make her feel safe. That's what she needed right now. She needed him to hug her and tell her it would be okay. But... she knew now that it would probably never happen again. Their relationship had changed so much. Whenever they were near each other, it seemed like there was a bitter tension in the air. She didn't want to hate him. She didn't hate him at all, in fact. Her question was, did he hate her?

Was he ashamed?

Did he only love her before all this happened?

Would he ever care about her again?

Oko didn't even realize she was shaking. She was sniffling and wiping her tears as they streamed down her cheeks. She couldn't handle this. She didn't know what was going on half the time. She wanted to go home. She wanted to be hugged by her father. She wanted everyone she loved to live. She let out soft sobs, trying her best to stifle them. Gohan stared at her, frowning worriedly.

"Hey... is everything okay over here?" Krillin asked as he walked over, frowning. Oko looked up at him then quickly latched her arms around him as he got close. He grunted in surprise and looked down at the small child that was clinging to him. She was still crying, but was trying her best to calm down.

"Oko... aw, come on, don't cry," Krillin said as he hugged back. "Everything's gonna be fine! We'll get out of this, okay?"

Oko nodded, but was still crying. Part of her felt ashamed for crying, but another part needed this. She needed to be comforted. After everything that has happened, she needed this moment.

She sensed a familiar power getting closer and tensed up. She quickly let go of Krillin, stepping back and trying to wipe her tears away and calm herself down. Krillin frowned then looked up at the sky.

"Did... Did they win?" Krillin asked with a frown. "Must have turned that other guy to our side too, huh?"

Oko took a shaky breath then looked up. She saw Jeice and Goku coming toward them, but something felt off. She frowned, stepping back. She was still shaken up and her eyes were still teary from the crying. She stared, frowning and clenching her fists. Goku was... wearing a Scouter? Where was her father? Wasn't he with them before?

"Daddy!" Gohan called happily as he ran toward the two. Goku landed and looked down at Gohan. A smirk spread across his face and he raised his arm. Oko went wide eyed.

"G-Gohan! Don't-"

Before she could finish, Gohan was punched across the face. He crashed to the side and frowned, sitting up.

"D-Dad...?" he said softly, staring at Goku.

Oko stared then started to frantically search in her mind for her father's chi. Was he dead? This obviously wasn't Goku! Did Ginyu switch bodies then kill Vegeta?!

"Alright then!" Ginyu said with a grin. The grin looked rather menacing on Goku's face, his eyes holding a dark look of evil. "Where did you insects hide the dragon balls?"

Oko was silent, her fists clenched and held close to her chest.

Did they really have to fend for themselves now...? Against Ginyu and Jeice...?

Her mind was swimming with questions and panic, but one seemed to rise above everything else.

Where was Vegeta?

A/N IMPORTANT

Soooo i apologize for the lack of updates. The past few years I had been dealing with some stuff and I was dating someone who kinda made me feel embarrassed to have interests in stuff like this. Yeah that relationship wasn't good at all and I'm not gonna get into it cuz it makes me uncomfortable BUT we outta that relationship now and in a new one where I'm supported so :D

BUT! SERIOUS THING NOW!

So, I started this fan fic when I was 13. I was hella cringe and really basic with my story type and stuff. I might still be but idk. I'm 17 now and I think I've gotten better with writing. I'm seriously thinking of restarting this fan fiction. Like rewriting it entirely. Changing Oko, changing parts of the storyline, and a few other things. I want to know how you guys feel about this. It's either I'm going to start a new fan fic and start over again with better writing skills and Oko's design and personality slightly changed or I'm going to continue writing in this one.

If I continue to write in this one, Oko's personality will change overtime because I realize she's basically a mini Vegeta and I want her to be her own unique self. She's one of my first OCs and I don't want to give her up. However, if I keep uploading on this fan fic, things might contradict what I've said in previous chapters. And tbh I kinda hate how I made Oko a mary sue. I noticed reading earlier chapters that she was just this all powerful THREE year old and I was like ? It really bothered me tbh.

If I start over on this story, I'll be drawing a cover for the story with Oko on it! I might even post fake screenshot type drawings on my art acc on insta. I'll be starting from the very beginning where Oko is first sent to Earth. This fic will probably be rated M for gore and language. No nasty nasty stuff tho cuz lmao. I will be leaving this current fic up for nostalgia tho. Not much will really change besides a few plot points. I love writing and I still love dbz so I'm happy to be writing on this website again :)

Leave suggestions in the reviews or PM me if you have any ideas you'd like to throw in for the new fic if you want it! I absolutely love reading ideas and I will use them if I like them enough!

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter. It wasn't the most exciting but I just am relieved I'm writing in this again. I hope you all have a wonderful night/day/afternoon! Byeeee