DISCLAIMER: I don't own Dragonball-Z, not really sure who does either. It'd be a shame if people I don't know sued me. J v

THE KILL

By Jacob M. Bosch

CHAPTER 2: Knowledge Without Experience

The first image to roar through Krillin's mind was that moment in time when he immobilized Freezer with the Taiyoken. More images followed, diverging from what Krillin remembered. And the monk couldn't reconcile the myriad of dissenting memories with the reality he knew:

His speeding away from the incapacitated Changeling instead of using the Kienzan… Blurs… Gokou fighting someone that looked like a smaller, more streamlined version of Freezer… Blurs… his own death, then Gokou bathe in an awesome golden aura, his hair spiked similar to Vegita's, only longer and blonde. Blurs… Freezer getting hit with an energy blast from Gokou, and disintegrating… Blurs… a young man with a sword also surrounded by a brilliant golden hue…

A thousand more visions followed. Each one more confusing then those that came before it. Every one filled with death.

Krillin begged Kaiou to make them stop.

I don't understand! What was all that?

What will never be, Kaiou said. And what will happen because of your actions.

Gokou was supposed to kill him… not me? But if that's true then… how? How could I have changed fate?

Is that so hard to believe?

Yes. I have always believed that destiny can't be changed. That it is immutable. That everyone's deeds, be they good or evil, is fated.

It does not happen often, Kaiou began, but there have been times when people have acted contrary to their experience, beliefs, and destiny.

Piccolo was one such person, Kaiou continued. That however, was foreordained. Your killing Freezer was not… You allowed your rage to overrule your fear of the tyrant. You were supposed to run Krillin.

Krillin laughed sourly, both aloud and in the telepathic communication with Kaiou.

So I was supposed to be the coward I've always been, huh?

Krillin…

No! I'm not gonna listen to you tell me I'm responsible for some nightmare future because I stood up to that monster!

Krillin…

Get out of my head, Kaiou, I don't want to hear anymore.

And with that the God of the Northern Galaxy was gone. Leaving Krillin alone with his doubts and fears.

Back on his small planet, Kaiou was frowning to himself after Krillin abruptly severed contact.

The Guardian was standing apart from his current students as they conversed excitedly amongst themselves. Tenshinhan, Yamucha, and Chou-zu were still stunned by the news of Krillin's feat and couldn't stop talking about it.

I know you're not a coward Krillin. You cannot be. Not if you are to be the warrior the universe will demand of you when the time comes.

It is wrong what you are going to do to him.

Kami.

Kaiou. He doesn't deserve it.

It doesn't matter what he deserves. What matters, is that he accepts the responsibility.

Perhaps Gokou is more suited--

It has to be him.

The guilt may crush him.

He has faced and defeated a demi-god; he is much stronger then you, his allies, or I have given him credit for. If we had seen this earlier, so much heartache might have been averted. Now it is too late.

But to push him into becoming--

Kami, he cannot-- we cannot-- afford to hold onto his innocence. You know the consequences if he doesn't change as well as I do. You have seen.

Yes.

Have you had any luck locating the dragonballs? Kaiou asked, abruptly changing the subject.

Uh, yes. My assistant Mr. Popo has already gathered three of the dragonballs. It won't be long until he has recovered the remaining four.

Excellent, please inform me when you have them all.

Of course, Kaiou, as you wish.

Freezer's ship appeared on the horizon.

Upon seeing the vessel Gohan realized that his adventures on Namek finally were over, and that everyone had made it through. Well, not every-one. Gohan thought, glancing over at Dende. Dende's people were all dead.

Gohan wondered what was going to happen to the boy now.

One by one the quartet descended through the large hole blown into the panoramic window above the ship's bridge. Gohan lead the way to the craft's medical bay. Piccolo and Dende walked a few steps behind the half Saiyan while Krillin took up the rear. They had to step over dozens of the charred corpses and body parts of Freezer's troops as they trekked through the ship's labyrinthine halls.

"Vegita's been busy," Piccolo commented.

The sliding door to the medical bay whooshed open when Gohan placed his small-gloved hand on the control pad next to the entrance. The room was in disarray, supplies strewn about the floor and gurneys were knocked over onto their sides. Only the oblong restoration tank and its control panel remained undamaged.

"Dad!" Gohan ran over to the tank where his father was still healing in its restorative liquids.

Gohan pressed his face against the round window in the center of the chamber's hatchway and saw his father inside floating upright. Two wires were taped to Gokou's temples and a black breathing apparatus was fastened over his nose and mouth.

"Dad?" Gohan repeated, fear hitching his voice when Gokou didn't respond.

No! Vegita said this thing was supposed to heal my Father! Why isn't he answering me? I knew we shouldn't have trusted…

Gokou's eyes fluttered opened then widened when he saw his son standing in front of the tank.

"Oh, hey Gohan." Gokou greeted his son jovially.

"Hi, Dad." Gohan returned. The relief in his prepubescent voice was apparent. "How are you feeling, Dad?"

"Great! Except I'm little hungry, it's been hours since I…" Gokou paused, "Hey is that Piccolo with you?"

"Yes, it's me Son." Piccolo responded walking up to the chamber.

"Whoa, you've gotten a lot stronger, Piccolo. Who's that with you?"

"That's Dende," Gohan answered.

"Hi, Dende,"

"Hello, Gokou-san."

"But he's not who I meant. I sense someone else with you, Piccolo." Gokou said.

Gohan looked confused. He can't mean Krillin?

"You never cease to amaze me Son," the Piccolo told the his one time enemy, "I believe you are referring to the Namek that I fused with, Nail."

"Nail!" Dende exclaimed.

Piccolo turned to the little Namek boy, but someone else's voice came out of his mouth.

"Dende, I am glad to see you. You've done well, Guru would be proud of you."

The boy began crying. "You're dead aren't you? You can never come back, can you?"

Piccolo/Nail lowered himself onto one knee in front of Dende. "No, Dende, I can't come back. Freezer hurt me so bad I was dying; joining with Piccolo was the only way to help stop Freezer. But I'm not dead either, apart of me is still alive in Piccolo."

Piccolo/Nail put his left hand to Dende's face, his thumb wiping away the tears sliding down the boy's round cheeks. The older Namek's expression was warm and open with compassion. "Everything is going to be fine. I promise Dende."

Suddenly, Piccolo/Nail stood up, his expression had lost all hint of tenderness as he walked away from Dende and leaned against the wall adjacent to the restoration tank. Crossing his arms over his chest almost defensively.

"What the Hell are you looking at?" Piccolo growled and bared his sharp teeth at Krillin, who was staring at the Namek man as if he'd spontaneously grown an extra antenna.

"Uh, nothing, Piccolo."

"Damn right, nothing." Piccolo grunted.

Gohan quickly averted his own stare when Piccolo looked his way, still growling. Gohan knew Piccolo loved him, but he'd only seen such naked affection on Piccolo's face when the Namek lie dying after taking a ki blast for him. It was weird—but nice—to see, even if the emotions didn't belong to Piccolo.

"Hey guys, can I talk to Krillin alone?" Gokou asked breaking the awkward silence.

Piccolo was the first person out the door.

"Sure, Dad." Gohan took Dende's hand in his and the two boys walked out together. Gohan looked over his shoulder back into the Medical bay just as the door closed and saw Krillin approach the tank hesitantly. To Gohan looked as if the monk was afraid of whatever his Father was going to say to him.

"You killed Freezer," Gokou said.

"How did you know that?" Krillin asked more then a little astonished that his best friend knew what was happening while recuperating in the tank.

"My body may have been out of the action, but my mind is working just fine. I was able to sense your encounter with Freezer." Gokou said. "Krillin, what you did wasn't wrong. Putting an end to Freezer's evil life wasn't wrong."

Krillin gaze met Gokou's through the fluid in the tank. "You wouldn't have. Not like that."

"Who knows what I might have done to stop him."

"Would you have made it so he couldn't fight back then execute him?" Krillin asked turning his head away, his voice filled with bitterness. "No, Gokou you would have fought him to the very end—honorably. Even if it meant dying. But me, I'm a coward. I… I…"

"Krillin trust me, you're anything but a coward. Would a coward face two Saiyans many times stronger then him or traveled to a planet with my son not knowing what he'd find so he could bring back his friends, never quitting no matter the odds against him? That's what you did Krillin. You're a warrior and you did what you had to, to protect the people you care about. That's who you are."

Krillin knew Gokou meant well and probably believed everything he'd said, but Krillin didn't. Gokou was applying his own philosophy to Krillin. Gokou was the warrior; he was the one born to fight. Ever since they were children Krillin could tell his best friend loved the challenge that fighting brought, Gokou thrived on it.

Krillin fought because… Kami, it was hard to remember why he started fighting. To get girls to notice him—because his first master abused him relentlessly until he learned how to defend himself?

Krillin didn't know anymore.

Krillin kept on fighting because his friends needed him, and he didn't want to let them down. But Krillin was starting to think he'd abandoned his vows. Betrayed what he was deep inside, and sacrificed his soul trying to be what he wasn't.

"Oh, Geeze!".

"What is it Krillin?" Gohan asked alarmed.

Krillin had his face buried in his hands and his voice came out muffled, "We forgot about Bulma."

"We are all going to die!" Gohan groaned into his palms along with Krillin.

Piccolo, hovering cross-legged in one corner of the room, raised his brow in annoyance. Krillin's exclamation had broken his already tenuous meditation. "So the female had to wait, it's not like she is in emanate danger."

Krillin and Gohan shared a look then returned their faces to their hands.

"I cannot believe that two warriors are frightened of one non-powered human, it is ridiculous!" Piccolo said with disgust.

Krillin raised his head up smiling all of a sudden. "You're right, we're pathetic. Maybe you should go and get her!"

"I have better things to do then to taxi some human about." Piccolo grumbled then closed his eyes and went back to meditating.

Mildly dejected, Krillin rose from where he was sitting in front of the restoration tank and got to his booted feet and made his way toward the Medical Bay's door. Gohan got up too, but Krillin waved at the boy. "It's okay Gohan, no use in the both of us getting our heads chewed off."

Besides, I could use the time alone, Krillin thought to himself. And a good fast fly would feel good about now. That, and I don't think Piccolo would appreciate bring left alone with Dende.

"Wait, Krillin." Gohan said after sitting back down next to Dende. Krillin turned to the boy. "Your back looks pretty bad, maybe Dende should heal it."

Honestly, Krillin didn't feel the burns on his back, and actually forgot he had them. It didn't take long for Dende to heal him for a third time in almost as many hours. The monk thanked the boy once again and left the Med. Bay. He made his way through the ship to the bridge, getting lost once because he wasn't paying attention to which way he was going. Krillin's mind was too preoccupied with his last words to Gokou before the Saiyan finally gave in to the drugs pumped into his body by the chamber.

Krillin lied to his best friend. He couldn't remember a time when he ever lied to Gokou. It had been pointless really, because the other knew him so well and, well, Krillin never really had anything to lie about, not to anyone. Especially not to Gokou, whom he shared everything with until they lost touch shortly after Gokou married Chi-Chi.

Gokou only surrendered to the narcotic slumber after Krillin assured him that he was all right with what happened with Freezer.

It was easy. Krillin thought when he finally found the bridge, feeling as disgusted with himself as Piccolo must have been with him in the Medical bay. Maybe more so.

Lying to Gokou was too damned easy. The man took nearly everything at face value, even if the lie was obvious. It pained Krillin to take advantage of his friend's trusting heart, but Krillin wasn't ready to relinquish the guilt he was experiencing. And he knew Gokou would somehow convince him he didn't need to feel culpable.

But I need to feel the remorse. Because I'm afraid of what'll take its place.

Searching for Bulma's small ki was a simple task, since hers was one of two ki's still on Namek that didn't belong to those on Freezer's space ship. The only other signature Krillin felt belonged to Vegita, which was steadily growing more vague and distant to Krillin's perceptions.

Allowing his senses to guide him, the monk put himself on autopilot and enjoyed the world of Namek, which passed by quickly, but not so much so that Krillin couldn't appreciate its uncomplicated beauty.

Within ten minutes Bulma Briefs was in sight. Krillin was surprised to see that the stubborn young woman was still at the rocks where he and Gohan had left her after taking the Dragonball Radar. Krillin had been sure Bulma would try and find the warriors after her legendary impatience got the better of her common sense.

Bulma was fiddling with a piece of equipment over a worktable.

She held the contraption in her left hand and held a fine tool of some kind in the other, poking at the machine's insides. Her head bowed over the mechanism as she clenched a small eyepiece between her eyebrow and her cheek over right eye. Bulma was so focused on her tinkering she didn't notice when the monk landed several feet away from her.

Krillin was about to shout hi to the genius, but thought better of it. Remembering how easily the woman was startled. Instead, Krillin cleared his throat softly.

Bulma raised her head from the contraption.

"Krillin?"

"Hi, Bulma."

"Why in Kami's name are you wearing Saiyan-jin armor?" she asked as she set the machine and her tools down on the worktable.

Krillin put his right hand behind his head, "Vegita thought me and Gohan would be better protected against Freezer wearing this armor."

"Well, it doesn't look like it protected you all that much," Bulma declared indicating the hole in the armor's torso.

"Yeah."

"Is something wrong…?" Bulma stood up abruptly, her chair tipping over backward hitting the rocky ground with a clang. "Krillin, where's Gohan and Gokou?"

"Oh, they're back at Freezer's ship. They're fine Bulma."

The woman let out a deep sigh of relief, "Good, I thought something horrible had… wait a minute, what do you mean they're back at Freezer's ship?"

"Yeah, Gokou got thrashed pretty bad, well his body did anyway, so we had to put him in the healing machine on Freezer's ship. Piccolo and Dende are waiting with Gohan for him to get better," Krillin said looking up at the much taller Bulma.

"But what about Freezer? If he catches everybody there, he'll massacre them!"

"Freezer's gone Bulma. Come on, I'm taking you back to the ship."

"Son Gokou does it again," Bulma sighed. "Krillin is something wrong?"

"I'm fine, do you need help getting your things together?"

"Krillin something is wrong. You scowl every time Freezer comes up."

Krillin looked down at the ground and said nothing.

"Krillin…"

"Are you coming or not?" The monk asked his voice barely audible.

"How dare you…!" Bulma began to shout but stopped when she noticed that Krillin was still inspecting the ground.

Krillin heard the woman step closer to him and felt the pressure of her small delicate hand when she placed it on the armor plate covering his left shoulder. "Tell me Krillin."

"Nothin' Bulma, really," Krillin replied looking up at Bulma again, the lie rolling from his tongue easily. But his smile felt, and probably looked forced, "I just wanna get you back to the ship and for Gokou to heal so we can all get off this planet."

The woman took her hand away and placed both her hands on her hips, "Well, I'd have to agree with you on that. It sure will be nice to finally get home. And since Piccolo's back I assume you found the Namek dragonballs, which means the Earth dragonballs are back, and now we can resurrect Yamucha and Tenshinhan. Really, Krillin I don't know why you're acting so depressed, it looks like you guys accomplished the mission."

"Yeah, I guess you're right."

When they got back to the saucer shaped space ship, Gokou's stint in the restoration chamber had run its course. Krillin noticed that Gokou's hair was still wet, and his tattered orange and black gi was soaked through with liquid from the tank. It couldn't have been too long ago that his friend's healing cycle had ended.

The Saiyan and Piccolo were standing face to face. Their heads shaking and nodding as if they were deep in conversation. Except neither of the men's lips were moving.

"Gokou!" Bulma exclaimed after seeing the Saiyan for the first time since Krillin, she, and Gohan left for Namek.

"Shhh, Bulma," Gohan told the woman. "Piccolo and my dad are talking to Kaiou-sama."

Krillin stiffened at the mention of the Guardian's name and sweat broke out on his forehead. He was afraid of what Kaiou was saying to the two powerful warriors.

"Gokou will make time for me," Bulma said haughtily turning her nose up. "Besides he owes me. Taking his sweet time getting here while I've been hiding under rocks!"

Bulma walked up to the Saiyan and promptly slapped the back of his head.

"Oh, hey Bulma."

"Well, if it isn't the big hero. I guess since you beat Freezer you're too good to say hello to your friends, eh?"

"Come on, Bulma, it's not like that," Gokou said. "Beside, I didn't--"

"Gokou, what does Kaiou want?" Krillin broke in earning looks from everyone in the Medical Bay. The monk couldn't hide the spite or the slight panicky tone that had entered his voice.

"Kaiou's was just telling us that the Earth's dragonballs have all been gathered. Mr. Popo's gonna wish all the Nameks back to life. Kaiou figures if we bring back all the Nameks that it'll bring Guru back too." Gokou answered.

"I get it! And when Guru comes back so will the Namek dragonballs!" said Gohan.

"That's the plan," Piccolo replied. "Now can we get back to working out the details of that plan."

"I don't believe it." Vegita whispered as he set down next to Freezer's decapitated corpse.

Prince Vegita tucked his tracker back into the hidden pocket in his glove then knelt down before his "master's" remains. His heart pounding fiercely in his chest, the Saiyan prince dug his fingers into Freezer's torn throat cavity, covering his gloved fingertips in the Changelings viscous blood.

"How long have I waited for this moment," Vegita started. "To have your blood on my hands?"

Vegita turned his head and saw the tyrant's horned head laying face down in the dirt a few feet away. He stood up and went over to the head and picked it up by both bull-like outgrowths on either side of the cranium. He turned the skull around so he could look into its face. The tyrant's facial expression was a frozen mask of surprise and death. Drools of purplish blood had dried around his lower lip and down over his chin.

"I never would have believed that Flea had it in him to do this. Humph. I think I know what attack he used now, I've seen him use it before. But how did he get this bastard to stand still for it?"

Vegita hawked up mucus from his throat then spat the phlegm into Freezer's face.

"After everything you've done to my kind even in death you piss on our right to vengeance. Getting offed by some insignificant Earthling."

Prince Vegita tossed the head aside like the trash that it was, "I'll leave what's left of you for the carrion eaters. At least something will benefit from your ignominious defeat."

Vegita turned on his heel, and crossed his arms over his chest. He slowly he lifted off the ground, only sparing a backward glance to sneer at Freezer's remains. Then the Prince of all Saiyans exploded forward, and returned to the search for his space pod.

Krillin could sense the awakening of ki energy in every direction. It started to happen slowly at first, but as the minutes passed he felt the emergence of entire Namek villages as they sprang to life once more.

"It worked, the dragonballs brought the Nameks back to life, all of them. Amazing," Piccolo said and he really did sound impressed.

"Look at the sky, the Dragon Porunga is back!" Gohan pointed to portal window in the Med. Bay. It had grown very dark outside. Gloomy impenetrable clouds filled the upper atmosphere, blocking all light radiating from Namek's three suns for miles around. Only the far horizon showed any hint of the crystal clear aquamarine sky that normally and constantly encompassed the planet Namek.

"And so is Guru," Dende said, tears filling his dark eyes.

"You guys still have one wish left, what are you gonna to wish for?" Gokou asked.

Krillin, Gohan, and Dende all exchanged glances with big smiles on their faces.

"Chou-zu!" Krillin and Gohan shouted together.

Gokou carried Bulma as they flew to Guru's hilltop dwelling in order to return the now powerless Namek Dragonballs. Piccolo and Krillin were holding two of the dragonballs. While Gohan, Dende, and Bulma carried the rest.

"So this is what dragonballs look like after you make a wish," Bulma said observing the large perfectly spherical white stone she held in her hands. "I wonder why the Namek Dragonballs don't scatter all over the world after granting wishes like the Earth Dragonballs do?"

"You can ask Guru when we get to his place," Krillin replied feeling in high spirits. A genuine smile plastered on his face.

They had wished Chou-zu back and he was safe on Earth. And in half a year's time when the Namek Dragonballs recharged, they'd be able to wish Tenshinhan and Yamucha to life as well. Knowing that his friends were going to live again had lifted a great deal of the guilt Krillin felt over Freezer's death. Allowing the monk to believed for the first time he just might get past what he'd done.

Holding his arms out to his sides, Krillin twirled and looped through the emerald green sky. Getting a feel for the crisp air as he cut the lower atmosphere with his body. He wished he were wearing his dark orange and blue gi instead of the Saiyan-jin armor. The armor was too insulated for his tastes. He barely felt the wind move over his body except where the armor exposed his skin.

"Hey, Krillin, you're in a good mood all of a sudden!" Bulma called out.

"We have a lot to be happy about Bulma."

"Yeah!" Gohan cried out in agreement and joined Krillin in dare deviling. The two comrades flew in wild, carefree maneuvers around their friends. Dende got in on the act as well, but when Gokou started to join in the celebration, a mortified Bulma quickly stopped him. Piccolo watched in distaste, but did and said nothing to discourage the trio.

The Krillin dove toward the ground, healthy patches of green grass ruffling as his Bu Kuu Jutsu pressed against the ground. He advanced over a lake-sized body of water that reflected the verdant shade of the sky. The water also was displaced by his flying ability. A long triangular pattern was marked his path as he passed over the lake. Small, splashy waves sent up cool spray, which pixy kissed Krillin's face, arms, and thighs until he was over dry land once more.

Krillin shot up into the sky again.

When was the last time any of them had flown like this just because they loved it? Krillin couldn't remember. Nor could he remember a time when he wasn't flying to save his life or someone else's.

Speeding for all he was worth because some villain wanted to kill him, his friends… and in some cases his world.

"Thank you my friends," The mountainous Guru told the Earthlings after they'd placed the seven dragonballs down before the eldest Namek. "I can't thank you enough for saving my children."

Young Dende was standing next to Guru's mammoth throne tending to the ancient Namek.

"Thank you for letting us use your dragonballs," Krillin said. "We couldn't have wished Piccolo and Chou-zu back without them."

"Yeah, not to mention you releasing our hidden powers," Gohan said.

"Uh, Guru, sir? You wouldn't happen to have any food here would you?" Gokou asked hopefully, everyone could hear the Saiyan's stomach rumbling.

"Of course not, Son. We Nameks do not eat solids," Piccolo answered.

"Aw, man." Gokou's stomach growled even louder.

"Gokou are you always thinking about eating?" Bulma admonished the warrior.

Gokou scratched the back of his head as he pondered Bulma's question. "No, I think about practicing a lot, too. And making sure I'm not late for Chi-Chi's meals after I practice, and sometimes I…"

"Never mind, Gokou," Bulma said rolling her eyes.

The Saiyan shrugged and walked about Guru's dwelling, unconsciously searching for something to eat.

"Goodbye Dende!" Gohan called back to the other boy as the Earthlings flew away from the tall rock pillar. Tears shone in Gohan's eyes as he and the Namek boy waved at each other.

"Goodbye Dende!" Krillin bid the boy farewell, his eyes also watery with tears. The three of them had been through so much searching for the dragonballs. Like narrowly escaping Dodoria and Vegita's clutches. Not to mention all the dangers they'd faced after gathering all seven magical spheres.

"Goodbye, goodbye!" Dende shouted back.

Other Nameks were flying to Guru's home as the Earthlings left for Gokou's ship. Among the sojourning Nameks were the elder Nameks from Dende's village and his brother, Cargo. As word of the Earthlings deeds spread among the massing Nameks, all of the noble Namek-jin joined Dende in waving goodbye to the departing heroes.

"I'm really going to miss him, Krillin." Gohan sniffled when Guru's dwelling faded from their sight.

"At least we'll know Dende's going to be all right. Especially now that he's got his family back." Krillin said.

The half Saiyan boy wiped at his tears and seemed to brighten up. "Yeah."

Gokou sped away with Bulma. The hungry Saiyan was in a real hurry to get back to his ship and raid its frige. Bulma's protests weren't enough to slow the warrior down this time.

"Bulma's father really made that out of a Saiyan-jin space pod?" Krillin whistled when he, Gohan, and Piccolo approached the enormous black and white—mostly white—spherical spacecraft that Dr. Briefs built. Capsule Corp. was painted along the outside diameter of the craft in bold black letters. The ship's gangplank hatchway was open and Krillin could sense Gokou and Bulma were already within.

When the others flew inside, Bulma was alone, sitting at the controls of the ship. Her fingers dancing over buttons and switches as she programmed a flight path back to Earth.

A machine in the center of the control deck caught Krillin's attention. While he wondered what it was, Piccolo went over and inspected the equipment.

"Bulma, where's my dad?"

"Below deck pigging out on whatever's left of the food," Bulma answered without looking away from the computer.

"Uh-oh. Bulma, how long is it going to take for us to get back home?" Krillin asked.

"Barring any course changes, I'd say five days… oh, I see where you're going," The young scientist said turning to Krillin.

"Yep. It's going to be a long, hungry trip."

"Aww, come on guys one little meal isn't going to hurt our supplies!" Gokou pleaded with his friends and son as they tried to drag him away from the staircase that lead to the lower deck.

"Uhn… Gokou you… uhn… have to wait for tomorrow's rations, or we'll run out of food before we get home!" Krillin grunted pulling at one of Gokou's arms. Gohan was working on his Father's other arm, while Piccolo had the Saiyan in a nasty chokehold. And still they couldn't stop Gokou from inching forward.

"Son, you act as though you've never fasted before!"

"Fasted? What does that mean?"

"Gohan!" Son Chi-Chi cried when she saw her son descend from the Capsule space ship.

Chi-Chi wasn't the only one waiting to greet the interplanetary travelers: Bulma's parents were there, so was Master Muten Roshi, the shape shifting pig, Oolong, Yamucha's familiar Puar, Yajirobe, and the pale faced Chou-zu.

"Hi, Mom."

Chi-Chi ran over to Gohan and scooped the boy into a hug. "My, baby's back home!"

Piccolo followed his former student out of the ship all the way down to the lip of the platform, then immediately leaped into the air and flew away to parts unknown. Bulma emerged next.

"Mom, Dad!" Bulma waved and ran over to greet her folks.

Stepping off the ship, Krillin stopped on top of the platform and watched his friends as they gathered around Bulma and Gohan. Chi-Chi fussed over her only child, while the others fired a hundred questions at the two about what happened on Namek. The monk smiled broadly, realizing this is why he fought…and killed. To have his friends laugh and be happy, even for Chi-Chi to be obsessively over protective of Gohan. They were worth risking his soul, worth any cost to see them safe from harm.

"Hey guys, aren't you going to let me up now?" Gokou asked from inside the spaceship.

Krillin turned back around and looked down at his long time friend. Gokou was lying flat on his back, his muscular arms and legs spread out. Bulma had programmed the ship's gravity generator to pin the Saiyan to the floor with a localized gravitation field of five hundred g's.

"Sure, Gokou."

"So what was it like being cooped up with Piccolo for five whole days?" Oolong asked.

"It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be," Bulma said. "At first I though: Oh, man he's going to kill us in our sleep or at least try and boss everybody around like he's king of the world or something. But he mostly floated around the ship meditating."

"Yeah… and he wouldn't even… spar with me or anything… could you hand me the… yes, thank you Mrs. Briefs!" Gokou said between stuffing his mouth with several different food groups at once.

Everyone was sitting around a picnic table Mrs. Briefs had set up for their arrival. Half the food the scientist's wife had spread out went straight down Gokou's gullet. Krillin felt somewhat nauseous watching Gokou's cheeks stretched out of proportion to his face as he ate.

Blanching, Krillin turned his head away from Gokou and saw Chou-zu sitting at the end of the picnic table, the eternal child's face was long with sadness. Krillin knew Chou-zu would be inconsolable until Tenshinhan returned, but went over to comfort his friend anyway. Getting up from his place at the picnic table, Krillin mussed up Gohan's short, straight bowl cut hairstyle then went over to Chou-zu.

Half year passed and everyone gathered once more to the battle site where they fought Nappa and Vegita. Chi-Chi even let Gohan out of his studies to see Tenshinhan and Yamucha wished back to the mortal realm. Even Piccolo came which Chi-Chi didn't like at all.

Kaiou relayed their wishes to Dende who summoned the Namek Dragon, Porunga, for them.

"We want to wish Yamucha and Tenshinhan back to life!" Gokou told Kaiou.

"He says the wishes have been granted." Said after a few moments.

Yamucha faded into reality first. "Yamucha!" Puar squealed, flying at the warrior, slamming happily into his chest.

"It's good to see you too, Puar,"

Tenshinhan appeared next and received a welcome similar to Yamucha's, only he was tackled by Chou-zu.

Everyone was home.

Almost a galaxy away Vegita, the Prince of all Saiyans was suffering.

The Saiyan Prince was stripped naked and nailed to a bulkhead on the lowest deck of a behemoth spacecraft. A craft that plotted its way to the planet its sister ship had descended upon over a year ago.

Vegita's nude body bled from every pore, and yet he lived. Even his dark piercing eyes were coated with plasma, blinding the prince with a blood-red haze. The blood pouring from him was caught in a recycling basin beneath his crucified body and injected back into him via IV.

Vegita's tormentor informed him that the method of torture used on him was being alpha tested on the Prince. Vegita had been "vaccinated" with a new nano peptide that rerouted blood vessels and forced blood to flow from the skin and other orifices. The process was slow, almost a crawl, keeping Vegita weak while several other drugs, means of inflicting pain that Vegita was quite familiar with, acted upon his nervous system. Deteriorating his nerve fibers on a microscopic level, rebuilt them, and then repeated the process all over again. It was conceivable—if his tormentor was to be believed—this torture could go on forever.

Vegita had been left alone days ago, or at least he thought it was days ago. It was hard to tell—it might have actually been only a few hours. Time stopped mattering when every moment was a clone of the moment before. What was he thinking about? Yes, it had been, maybe, days since he was left alone to ponder the errors of his ways. Vegita's tormentor also insisted on knowing what had happened to his son. Of course being who he was, Vegita refused to give the bastard what he wanted.

Let the fucker find out for himself! Had been Vegita's feelings on the matter.

The drugs were working on his testicles now and Vegita screamed. The scream came out more like a high keening whine, like the sound a dog makes after getting kicked. Vegita lost his voice days (?) ago. The repair drugs couldn't keep up with all the damage his pain-filled screams had done to his vocal cords. It was probably a bug in the torture method, the Prince was sure. Because the wretched cries of agony, and futile pleas for mercy, has always been a big part torture. It was the part Vegita had always enjoyed, anyway.

His hunger gnawed at him as well. Vegita was fairly certain that starvation was SOP when holding prisoners. The fact that the lack of sustenance was its own hell to Saiyans' was just a bonus torture inflicted on him. Sometimes other pains distracted him from his hunger, but not reliably.

A door opened, and heavy footfalls came toward him.

"Ah, the Method is progressing nicely I see," A deep, cultured voice said. Vegita couldn't be sure, but the voice might have had a pleased quality to it. But the voice also sounded like it came from behind a wall, so what did he know?

"Mmm, I will have to give those scientists of mine credit, if not praise, for this new torture. I have never seen such an effective Method."

Fuck you. Vegita tried to say but the words came out as a wet, gurgling sound.

"Yes, credit where credit is due. I'll have you know that my ship is heading for that little planet where I'm sure all will be reveled. Of course you'll be subjected to this agony until we arrive, unless you tell me what happened to my dear son, Freezer," King Kold told the Saiyan prince.

"It seems as though Namek is going to have to wait for my investigation. Your little insurrection in my son's Space Possession has sparked several uprisings that must be dealt with," King Kold said during his next visit. "You Saiyans can be a nuisance. I see why my son was so concerned about your species."

Vegita was completely blind now, no red haze, just a persistent solid black. But he wasn't hungry anymore, for some reason, and the bleeding had stopped spontaneously. And since no more fresh blood flowed, Vegita's entire body was encrusted with old blood. Vegita suspected he might not have truly lost his sight. That it was probably only dried plasma that had sealed his eyelids shut. But the theory was hard to test out because he hadn't been able to work his lids for awhile now. Or any other part of his body besides his mind, and even that'd been difficult to hold onto.

"You may have noticed that the Methods have worn off? Well, it appears that after all these months your Saiyan physique has built immunities to the nano peptides and the drugs we've given you. My new scientists are working on stronger versions of the Methods as we speak."

Yay. Months?

"As you can no doubt tell by now, most of your body mass has been eaten away by the drugs. One can hardly tell you even had that perfect Saiyan body anymore. Emaciated, I believe the word is."

"We have finally arrived. Ah, it seems as if you've regained a bit of your health. Perfect, because I'm going to require your presence while I am on Namek, if for no other reason then to have the proper visual aid."

Krillin woke up screaming.

The inside of the monk's small cabin several miles outside of North Capital, was pitch black, and Krillin yelled again. The darkness reminded him of the end of his dream, except there were no stars, no floating debris swirling about in a maelstrom of ki and gravity.

Namek was dead.

The soil beneath his feet was familiar. He'd been here little more then a year ago, but this place had always been close by, in his head at least. He often dreamed about this far away, alien land, and the reveries mercifully never involved…Him. The dreams were peaceful and silent, because he was always alone. For miles in every direction only he occupied the rocky landscape.

Two white suns shined above him as a third sun was setting into the horizon to his right. Krillin stopped walking to watch the star sink beneath the edge of the world. When the sun disappeared the monk turned away and resumed walking. Eventually he came upon the shore of a lake, one of a thousand such bodies of water spread all over Namek. He stopped again and lowered himself down onto his stomach, his bald round head hanging over the edge of the narrow shore.

He saw his green tinted reflection smiling back at him. He looked happy—serene. Six dot tattoos lined his forehead in two parallel rows. They were red in reality, but appeared black in the wet mirror. Sticking out his tongue, Krillin made a face at himself before he stood up and continued on his mysterious way.

He walked on not thinking, not feeling, his only sense of distinctiveness came from that odd self-awareness that came with dreams. He did feel his body though, and how Namek's environment affected him. How an assertive breeze fluttered the dark orange material of his gi and played with the black belt tied about his slender waist. And how the suns' caressed his body with warmth. Krillin walked on.

The monk didn't notice the sky getting brighter at first, mostly because it was unexpected. This dream was always the same, unvarying from night to night. He continuously took the same invisible path, passed by the same lakes and ponds and rocks.

When the brightness finally attracted his attention, Krillin was confused. This had never happened before. Slowly, the monk tilted his head up and saw three suns inhabiting the sky. One of the orbs was growing brighter and eclipsing the two other suns. The glowing ball was coming closer.

This isn't right, the monk thought.

Soon, a powerfully hot wind had arisen, carrying with it dust and small rocks which tore at Krillin's gi and bit into his face and arms. The particles even needled the monk's eyes, but Krillin never blinked, never turned his face away from the raging wind as he watched the ball of light fall through the sky. He saw a dozen Nameks fly in over his head, each ablaze in ki auras as they hurried toward the descending globe.

The twelve Nameks were soon joined by more of their kin and all glowed with energy. Krillin looked on unmoving as the Nameks, old and young alike, began firing energy waves at the enormous ki ball—Krillin knew that's what the sphere was now, even though he could not sense it—in a vain attempt to halt the world-killer. But it was useless, the Namek's beams gave way before the massive ki blast, but the Nameks never let up, until one by one the Nameks expended all their energy.

The defenders were the first to vaporize as they tried to stop the blast with their bare hands. Krillin followed the spheres destructive fall passionlessly, as if he were simply watching a snowflake float harmlessly to the ground. The land rocked when it impacted, and the wind went from hot to a blistering inferno. Krillin's astral form went largely unaffected even as the planet broke apart under his feet, and energy swirled violently about him. The monk swiveled his head this way and that, watching the air grow thick with black soot.

Geysers of molten lava spewed from the center of the shattered planet, propelling chunks of Namek into space. As another chain reaction shook the dying world, the ground fell from under Krillin's feet. The monk looked down and saw the faintest hint of stars gleaming at the bottom of the abyss. He was seeing through to the other side of the planet.

The roar of destruction was a whisper to his ears when one last explosion swallowed Namek. A searing light blinded Krillin and yet his eyes remained open. Waiting to see once more, the monk heard a strange white noise surround him and it was louder and far more unnerving then the death knell that took Namek. When his vision cleared Krillin was drifting through the frozen vacuum of space. And what remained of the once beautiful planet Namek was at the mercy of stellar forces, and the waste energy from the ki blast that had annihilated it.

Krillin stumbled across his darkened bedroom, feeling his way to the closet. When his hand gripped the closet's wooden doorknob he ripped the door off its hinges. Grabbing one of the many gi that hung inside Krillin quickly put the outfit on over his boxers. Ignoring his boots, the small man rushed out of his cabin and took to the air. All the while tears of outrage and sorrow were streaming from his eyes.

He was a comet streaking through the nighttime sky, and he didn't care who saw him. As he flew over North Capital City, Krillin carelessly swelled his ki aura to the size of a small planetoid and let his power tear through the cityscape. Rocking concrete and metal skyscrapers to their foundations and shattered countless plate glass windows.

Despite his injured thoughts Krillin knew where he needed to go. Where he could find the answers to his questions, and who could tell him that his dream wasn't real.

Kami steeled himself, pushing aside his own grief as Krillin sped toward the Lookout high above the Earth.

Kami had of course felt the planet Namek die. But even he hadn't been unfortunate enough to experience its destruction first hand. And though Kami pitied the young monk more then he would ever be able to express, the God of Earth knew that Kaiou was right.

The human would have to suffer his twisted destiny utterly alone.

The Kami of Earth leaned heavily on his body length wooden staff, standing near the edge of his Lookout. His acute hearing had already picked up the sound of Krillin's approach. Kami watched as water vapor trailed after the human when emerged from the dark clouds below and made an arching descent and came in for a landing on the huge bowl-shaped structure.

Kami's wizened face showed nothing of the emotions he felt inside.

Krillin's bare feet touched down upon the Lookout's white tiled surface. He stood less then six feet away from the god, who'd turned to face him. And upon seeing the human's face, Kami's mask of indifference nearly faltered.

Shameless tears flowed from Krillin's eyes and his fists were clenched tightly at his sides. The well-defined muscles in his arms vibrated with tension.

"Tell me what I saw wasn't true."

Kami hesitated for a split second. Only too aware of how his next words would affect the human's future.

"Everything you saw is true."

Krillin sunk to his knees in a heap. All his strength seemed to drain from his body.

"It's my fault."

"Yes."

Kami watched Krillin double over and wrap his arms around his stomach gasping for breath. His forehead smacking onto against the ground. The affirmation had struck the monk like a physical blow.

"And it is not over."

Krillin brought his head up, "W-what… do… you mean?"

"The force that destroyed the planet Namek is coming here. You have already been shown this Krillin." Kami said.

The human looked back down at the ground remembering. "K-king Kold. I have to warn everyone."

"You can, but due to your actions on Namek, no one, not even Gokou, will have the power to stand against Freezer's father," Kami stated with no mercy what so ever. "Earth will share the same fate as Namek."

"No… no!" Kami was knocked back by the force of Krillin's aura as the monk exploded into the night air.

The god clutched his staff tightly, and allowed his own pain and guilt to finally surface as the human dove back to the Earth below. His distress deepening the many wrinkles that already creased his dark green face. Kami turned from the edge of the Lookout and unhurriedly made his way to his temple. His staff rapping against the lookout's tiled floor

For more then three hundred years it had been Kami's duty to watch over and protect all the people of Earth. And after long centuries of resolve and dedication, he'd never wavered in that duty. Until now.

Manipulating Krillin tore at Kami's heart. But he had no other choice. Krillin was but one man and the needs of one man were insignificant when weighed against the needs of untold billions. And yet Kami wanted very badly to spare his one time student. Though he knew the consequences if Krillin were not steered onto the proper course.

It cannot be helped. Either he embraces his fate or all is lost--

"Hello, Kami."

That voice! No, it is not possible!

Kami halted just outside the entrance of his temple and whirled about. Five creatures stood before him. Kami didn't recognize the four that wore body armor. But the smallest member of the trespassers, with his pale green skin, and blue trimmed black outfit and pink cape, was all too familiar.

"Garlic Jr."