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Caulifla

Caulifla hated the military training grounds here in Paysanne. Years ago in her deluded youth, she'd tried to follow after her brother, thinking that the military might suit her. Maybe it would have if those left in charge of initial training hasn't been idiots.

Caulifla could follow orders, in fact she liked having a solid chain of command, but she wasn't one for arbitrary instructions. If there was a reason for something she'd do it. If she didn't know the reason then she had to trust that the person giving the order had a good reason. Unfortunately, most of the individuals in charge of her training had been little more than petty bullies who between them didn't have two brain cells to rub together. She'd told herself over and over that she just had to stick it out, it would get better. But as a teenage girl - an unusually strong teenage girl at that, in a predominantly male environment - she'd been the one to receive the worst treatment.

At the time she'd been furious at herself for letting them drive her out, for forcing her to quit, but even then she'd known that there was no way she'd last in an organisation that treated its people like that. Even if it did get better after initial training was over, the fact that as an organisation they allowed that those outside of the norm - regardless or perhaps because of above average skills - to receive such treatment, told her everything she needed to know.

Now she was back here, Kale stood one one side, Cabba on the other, as they waited for Vados and Champa to arrive.

Kale looked uncomfortable to be stood in the centre of the training grounds, teams running laps around the perimeter, but unfortunately being uncomfortable wasn't unusual for Kale

"Remind me again why we have to meet them here?" Caulifla said, rounding on Cabba once more.

He flinched a little under the look she was giving him and bowed apologetically. "This is where we always meet, Caulifla san. Vados simply said to meet them as normal."

"And you couldn't recommend anywhere better?" She asked, trying but failing to keep the snarl out of her voice. She didn't much like the young soldier but it wasn't his fault she was still hungover.

Fortunately it was only a couple more minutes until the strange duo appeared before them. Except that it wasn't just Vados and Champa: Hit was with them too, as was Fuwa.

Frankly, Champa looked even worse than she felt. The obese cat looked stressed and Caulifla had to wonder just what it had done to a God of Destruction to himself be destroyed, if only for a short time. It had certainly shaken her. Vados and Hit on the other hand, looked as if they'd walked out of some photo shoot. Despite their odd clothing and appearance there wasn't a wrinkle or crease to be seen and neither of them looked like they'd just lived through the end of the universe. It certainly didn't do much for Champa's image to be flanked by the two of them. But perhaps that was what Fuwa was there for.

Shorter and dumpier than Champa, the green-skinned Kai was, if possible, even less impressive than the cat, and looked even more rattled. Frankly, he managed to make even Champa look almost composed and presentable. Caulifla had to admit that this was probably a trying time for the two of them, but it was exactly at times like these that they should be even more in control than normal. Isn't that what they were there for? To be leaders?

"Good, you're all here." Champa said in place of a greeting. "Now where can I get some food around here?"

'Oh yeah,' she thought, 'impressive stuff.' Not that food would hurt.

Apparently this was normal as it turned out that Cabba had already made reservations for them.

Caulifla fell into steep behind them as they started moving, not really wanting to get drawn into conversation. Naturally Kale fell in beside her, but surprisingly, so did Hit.

"Long night?" The assassin asked and she glared at him through her sunglasses.

"Are they always this impressive?" She asked instead of answering, nodding her head at the cat.

Hit shot her a sideways glance, knowing or conspiratorial perhaps, for all his face was expressionless. "More or less."

"And the others?"

He knew what she meant: the other gods. "I met most of them for the first time yesterday, the same as you. Universe Seven… is marginally better. Beerus is more dignified on the surface but not when he's dealing with his brother. Their Supreme Kai handles himself well but he's inexperienced and the older Supreme Kai spends most of his time chastising him. From what little I've learned, they're just more used to dealing with the unexpected."

It was a longer answer than she'd expected from the usually recalcitrant assassin.

"You've met them a few times?" Caulifla asked, taking advantage of his current mood. Kale was listening with interest too.

"Ah."

So much for that talkative streak.

"Any idea what this is about?" She pressed. Hit had travelled here with them so he might know more.

"Champa's unhappy about losing. Vados suggested offering training."

Caulifla nodded, "She said as much yesterday."

The conversation died off as they moved out of the training grounds and onto the city streets, but fortunately they didn't have far to walk.

To her surprise, Cabba was the one who placed the orders once they were seated in the restaurant. Fuwa, Champa and Vados being unfamiliar with the foods seemed happy to let him choose for them.

Caulifla couldn't remember being at such an uncomfortable dinner since her last family meal. Fuwa looked distinctly on edge, watching Champa as if he might explode at any moment, and the cat genuinely looked as if he might. But he also looked as if he might cry, all while keeping up a feeble façade of imperiousness.

"Champa sama," Vados chimed in, her voice politely deferring, but clear all the same, "Wasn't there something you wanted to say?"

The chubby cat seemed to grind his teeth before collecting himself enough to talk. "You all fought well yesterday," he said, the words sounding forced, "But- but it wasn't enough!" his composure slipped and the words burst out of him as he slammed a fist down onto the table, setting the cutlery to rattling and making Kale flinch.

Seeing Champa's emotional state, Fuwa cut in. "Perhaps," he started timidly, eyeing them and fastidiously keeping his eyes off the cat, "we have been remiss in our handling of the situation. As Kais, our duties are to enable mortals to grow and develop, guiding them towards enlightened and peaceful civilisations. The Hakaishin are tasked with ensuring enough change to enable this. I think perhaps we have taken too passive a role in our duties, allowing mortals to develop freely…" He too trailed off as Vados nodded her agreement.

"There is much room for improvement." She said, voice and bearing sure but polite. She was certainly the most capable of the three. "Considering Zeno sama's recent interest in fighting, Champa sama and Fuwa sama thought it prudent to start by offering the four of you training.

"We have discussed the events which took place during your absence," she continued, and Caulifla wanted to scoff at the choice of words, "And have agreed that, of all the participants in the tournament, saiyans showed the most growth. Hit has also shown a great propensity for rapid development and as such is included in this invitation."

"She's right!" Champa exploded." Those damned saiyans of my brother's-" he clenched his fist, cutting himself off, "We need to beat them!" He growled, voice determined, looking each of them in the eye.

Champa seemed to be walking a fine line. The events of the tournament had clearly shaken him deeply and his pride was hurt, but he seemed to be making an effort to not write off their achievements, despite their loss. He might not be a very good leader but he was trying.

"You said you lost to Universe Seven before?" Caulifla asked, referencing what Cabba had mentioned the day before, trying not to make it sound like a jab at the cat's pride.

"Hai," Cabba nodded, cutting in before anyone could take offence, "once in a smaller tournament and once in a game of sports."

"Is Son Goku always with them?"

"That damn idiot is my brother's trump card!" Champa burst out, "I hate him! I hate him!" The god was pulling at his long ears in frustration and Caulifla couldn't help but think it was no surprise their team hadn't won: if their universe's gods were so pathetic what hope was there?

"Give me just a fraction of the training they've had and I'll take him down," she said, looking at the cat, promising it to herself as much as him.

"Son Goku won't lose easily." Hit said from beside her. "He has an unprecedented capacity to adapt and grow."

"You think I can't win?" she challenged the ancient assassin.

"It's unlikely."

"Watch me."

Vados

Vados watched the exchange impassively.

She'd already decided not to tell anyone just how strong Vegeta san and Goku san had become by the end of the tournament. It wouldn't do any good for them to know. Not right now.

Vados, like her siblings, was merely a guide. She served as an assistant and an advisor as needed, but her role was far more profound than that. And far more subtle.

It had been her and her siblings who had advised Zeno sama on which universes should be exempt from the tournament, and which should compete.

And it had definitely been to Universe Six's advantage that they take part. Not only were Champa and Fuwa in dire need of a wakeup call, but inter-universal interaction had been non existent for far too long. It wasn't something that was supposed to happen regularly but it did need to happen.

As such she'd been pleased when the two deities had come to the conclusion that their previous lax attitude could no longer continue.

Similarly, watching the young saiyan woman speak so confidently gave her a sense of satisfaction. She might be misguided about how mammoth a task she was facing, but she was facing it with solemn determination. There was a chance she'd never reach her goal, though it was hard to make accurate predictions where saiyans were involved, but she'd certainly try. And by doing so she'd make a difference.

A/N: I know it wasn't very long but I'll be posting chapter 4 this weekend. Next up: Bulma's party!

Let me know if there's something you'd like to see and I'll try and work it in provided it fits with the rest of the storyline!

Thanks for reading!