Disclaimer: I don't own Dragonball Z. But if I did, I would make Krillin the main charcter for fun... hehehe

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Title - Hard to Say I'm Sorry...
Author - MECHA-Griever

Chapter 1 - The Price of Reality


Time was supposed to be a great healer, but such was not the case with Juuhachigou. She woke up the next morning with a throbbing pain in her head, and her heart...

The image of her husband flashed back into her brain bringing back memories that she wished she could forget. Such a thing could not be forgotten however, especially for an android and their advanced memory keeping systems. Juuhachigou silently cursed Dr. Gero for ever giving her this life in the first place. She never remembered exactly who she was before Dr. Gero's experiments, but after the traumatic night she had just had, that life must have been better than the one she was living now...

'I have to move sometime... I'm too tired to shed another tear for... him...'

She slowly began to gain her senses as she attempted to leave her solid stone bed (the boulder she blew up) and stand up. Sadly, to now avail. She staggered forward and fell right back onto her back. She did not wince in pain however, instead she seemed oblivious to the fact that she had been hurt.... or to the ominous figure standing over her...

The steady breathing of the long haired man staring at her was what brought Juuhachigou to her senses as she kept her eyes closed. She could not feel a Ki level, no matter how hard she tried. Suddenly she realised who the person was, but still maintained her horizontal position on the silver and grey rubble.

"....go away brother...." she managed to say softly, but to Juunanagou, it was perfectly audible.

"Frosty tone my sister. Could there be... trouble in paradise?"

Paradise... She almost grinned to herself. 'Thats what I would have called my life but days ago...' she thought sadly. Juunanagou, for someone who had not seen his sister in over 4 years, seemed some what indifferent, as he clutched her soft hand and helped her onto her feet. Once again, she stumbled forward, but this time landing in the strong arms of her twin brother, who held her closely.

He ran his hand through her hair as she pulled him closer, crying softly on his shoulder. Juunanagou could feel her sob against his muscular framed, and he knew there was only one person that could ever cause her to cry...

'Cueball...'

He felt his blood boil at the thought of what the earthling could have done to her, but something told him that asking his sister now, would only make matters worse.

"Juu-chan? Do you want to tell me whats wrong?" he asked uncharacteristically.

He felt his siter shudder once again against his body at the thought of the occurance. He gently pushed her away from him as he kept her at arms length. Her cheeks were tear-stained as well as her watery eyes which seemed to have been crying for days. He motioned for her to continue with her story.

***

The story Android 18 had to tell was long and tragic, but juunanagou had only one thing on his mind.

'Krillin. Krillin. Krillin. Krillin.'

The name echoed in his head mixed in with the sobs of the sister he held in his arms. He himself did not understand love, just as well as juuhachigou certainly did not understand heartbreak.

One thing was for certain however, Krillin was going to pay for what he had done. And this time, he was going to pay for good.

"What do I do now Juu-kun...?" she asked her brother as she calmed down slowly.

He didn't react. He stood motionless with pure anger in his eyes staring out to where the sun was beginning to rise in the east.

"Juu-kun?" she asked again staring at him with puppy dog-eyes. Her brother temporarily broke out of his trance as he gazed back at Juuhachigou.

"...Remember where my cottage is?..."

She nodded slowly at him.

"Stay... there for now. I... will be back later. I need to take care of something..."

A Vegeta-like smirk crossed his face, one that had not been present for so long. Juuhachigou noticed this smirk. It reminded her of back when they were first activited. The smile he got when he knew that a fight would soon ensue... and she knew very well would be on the receiving end of his wrath.

Before she could respond, Juunanagou took off toward the sky leaving all but an orange flamey trail behind him.

"NO! JUUNANAGOU DON'T!!!!!!" she screamed at her brother, but it was too late. She tried to fly after him, but found that she didn't have the energy to. 'Krillin...' she thought but only thumped her hand against the ground for thinking such a thing.

'Why should I care if Juunanagou kills him!!! Just saves me the trouble...' she tried to tell herself... but it just wasn't that easy.

She still found herself caring about that stupid bald migit despite what he did. All she wanted was to be a family again, with the two most important people in her life. Once again, the simplicity of the situation was almost none existent. Sh was once again torn in life without an answer for her satisfaction. Perhaps this is the price of reality....

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The sun had fully risen by the time a certain triple eyed earthling came to land on Roshi Island. He smiled to himself of the thought seeing his friend Krillin again as well as Master Roshi and everyone else. He stepped onto the small path leading to Krillin and Juuhachigou's newly constructed house and he walked up to the door. He was about to knock on the door when he suddenly heard the sound of footsteps behind him. This was not what shocked him however. Much worse, he could not sense a power level.

Tien turned around quickly to see the frame of a long-haired man wearing a familiar scarf around his neck. To be honest, Tien did not know exactly what to expect from the refromed (or so he thought..) android. Something told him that he wasn't here on a Sunday visit, thats for sure...

"17! What the hell are you doing here?" Tien inquired.

"And that should matter to you because...?"

"Well it depends what reason you're here for now, doesn't it?" Tien smirked clenching his fist.

"Must you be so nosey?" Juunanagou chuckled heartily, "You're just lucky that I'm not here to dispose of you..."

Tien stepped forward so he was level with the android as he glared deeply at him. Android 17 was not about to be pushed around by some puny human, especially one he had kicked the crap out of but 4 years ago..

"If you must know, I was planning on giving Cueball his third, and final, death."

The sound of his friend's name caused him to flinch as he took battle position. No time for questions, not now...

"Why do you want Krillin!?" he shouted back.

"Call it revenge for a prior action.. Earthling." Juunanagou laughed at the man before him. Tien only glared back.

"You want him, you have to go through me!!" He shouted as he began to power up.

Juunangou took this time to look up at the house and try and sense Krillin's power level. When he was unable to, he realised that the Z-Fighter was obviously not home. 'Why search for him when you have one standing in front of you?' he thought to himself as he too took combat position.

"You want some asshole? Then lets dance..." The android triggered the battle.

The two fighters charged at each other as they became engulfed in a frenzy of puches and kicks, each missing their target. Tien, finally managed to land one on 17's chest. The blow only brought a smile to the android's face however.

"Is that the best you got?"

17 counter-attacked this move with a knee to the stomach and a double axe-handle to the back, knocking Tien down against the floor. The 3-eyed earthling was not so easily overcomed as he charged at the android again. 17 readied himself for the assault as Tien zanzokened over the top of the android. He followed up with a strong double-axe-handle to the android which not even 17 could stand. He was catapulted into the ground below, bringing a smile to Tien's face.

"Like this android?!" He yelled as he touched his fingers and thumbs together to form a triangle with his hands as he prepared for his Tri-blast (AN* I couldn't remember the name of this move!). He yelled as triangle Ki blasts shot at the victim below, engulfing him red. Android 17 tied to get up but continued to be knocked down by the blasts.

"You don't look so good Juunangou! Problem?!" Tien laughed at his opponent. He was even more shocked when he found the android laughing with him. This was no fake laugh however, he was laughing hysterically... especially for someonr who should be feeling extreme pain.

"WHY THE HELL ARE YOU LAUGHING ANDROID!!" Tien grew aggrivated as the intensity of the shots increased.

"HAHAHA! I will have the last laugh human! HEADS UP!!" he screamed back.

Tien floated above clueless by 17's previous remarks. He separated his hands to see Android 17 holding 2 of Tien's own Tri-blasts over his head. Juunanagou suddenly shot them both back at Tien which made impact on his chest and shoulder respectively. Tien began to plummet to the ground as Juunanagou this time rose above him.

"As much as I enjoyed that Tien, I believe its my turn..."

He shot a Kame Hame Ha like blast at the wounded Tien which made a solid impact dead against him and the earth. After the smoke had cleared, Tien still lay there.... Barely alive. Android 17 could only chuckle. In a weird way, he felt that what he had just done was wrong, but he ignored the feeling as he gave a quick farewell.

"So long Tien, if you survive, I hope we meet again... but on better terms.."

Juunanagou flew off towards the west away from the Kame House and Roshi Island. Tien could barely move, nor finf the strength to speak. He used his last bit of energy to utter three words...

"K-Krillin...b-be....careful......"


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"WHAT!?"

Krillin jumped off his chair in the middle of breakfast shocking the four people around him. His face was etched in confusion as well as fear which added to the severity of the situation. Goku lifted his head away from his empty plate and looked towards Krillin.

"Krillin, whats wrong? You haven't finished breakfast yet. Can I finish it? Please?"

"Goku, this is no time for breakfast. I think we have problem..." Krillin looked down at his feet, almost afraid at what the feeling he detected could mean.

"What do you mean?" A young Goten asked looking up at the bald fighter seated next to him. For a boy who was barely even 6 years old, his abilities were immense.

Krillin looked down at the young boy, before turning his attention to Gohan and Goku. His face grew serious as he stepped away from his chair towards them.

"Guys... Try and sense Tien's ki.." He simply said, his glare intensifying as he spoke.

Goku and Gohan looked at each other briefly in confusion before closing their eyes for a brief second. Their fists clenched together as the rooms began to vibrate lightly. Gohan was the first to open his eyes, followed by his father. Goku scratched his head and took another bite of Krillin's breakfast. Gohan was the first to speak up.

"I can't sense it... He must be on the other end of the world on one of his hikes again.."

Krillin shook his head at his old 'partner'. The fear anger was visable in his facial expressions. Not for his friends, but for the force that took down Tien.

"No Gohan. He was supposed to come visit today as a suprise. Chautzu told me so. I sensed him at the house a few minutes ago, then his power level grew, then suddenly dropped to nothing. I think there's something wrong.... And I'm gonna go find out.."

Krillin began to walk towards the door when he was stopped by an afraid Chichi who had a pleading look on her face. Gohan and Goku got up ready to follow when they to were stopped.

"Hold on a minute... What about Juuhachigou?" She asked the three men in front of her.

Krillin's face dropped at the sound of his wife's name. It all came back to him quickly, all the events of the previous night. One picture in particular came to mind though. A picture he would never forget. For the first time evern, he saw her cry. The sound of her gentle sobbing rang through his mind which was soon broken by the voice of another woman... Her..

"I... I HAVE OTHER THINGS TO WORRY ABOUT NOW!!" He screamed as he shot out of the house towards Roshi Island. His three friends could sense that he didn't mean what he just said. He was simply trying to put t behind him for the moment.

"We have to go too Mom..." Gohan muttered to his mother who nodded in return.

"Okay Gohan... But, please take care of yourselves... and Krillin.." She replied referring to Krillin's emotional state.

The boys nodded as they too shot out the house towards Kame House.

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Juuhachigou stood in the house that her brother liked to call 'Home' admiring its beauty. Pine furniture and technological gadgets such as a TV and computer were found in the 6 roomed house, as well as many other devices which she guessed Juunanagou had made himself. Her mond was slowly tearing away from the prvious day as she tried to think briefly in this cottage after Cell Game, but it was never this well furnished. She remembered back to a certain day which she would always remember...

~FLASHBACK~

Juuhachigou stood before a little bald man who's constant blushing was beginning to irritate her.

"Krillin, what th hell are you doing here?" She inquired crossing her arms together.

Krillin only blushed harder in response. In a strange way, this time, she found it... cute.

"Well, er, 18... I was just... umm...."

"What is it Krillin? Do you want to fight? Do you want to me to destroy you? TELL ME!!"

Krillin stepped back slowly finding it difficult for the question to come out..

"I was.. you know... just wonderin' ... if you would l-like to..." His sentence was cut short as he tripped over a small pebble making him land flat on his back.

Juuhachigou couldn't control herself as she broke out in a fit of laughter. Poor Krillin was at this point extremely embarassed. So badly in fact that he couldn't stand up... which only added to his humiliation..

Juuhachigou calmed down and walked over to him and knelt down next to him. She rubbed his head lightly as she smiled gently at him.

"Baka... Watch where you're going next time..."

Her blonde hair brushed against his skin sending shivers down his spine. But this was nothing compared to what had happened next. She leaned over and gave him a soft kiss on his forehead. She didn't know why she had done so. It was as if she were being controlled by an unknown force... she later found out that force had a very different name...

Love.

~FLASHBACK~

She remembered that was the first time he had asked her out. It still brought a smile to her face, even in her darkest hour. She sat down on the sofa and lay back looking through the window where the sunlight flooded into the house. She knew that her brother was capable of destroying Krillin, and knowing Juunanagou... he wouldn't hesistate to do so...

'I can't lie to myself... as much as I hate him... I can't let anything happen to him'

Her thoughts surpised even her. She had never feared so much for another person's safety, let alone someone who had cheated on her in front of her own eyes...

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The three Z fighters landed on Roshi Island with a mission to find Tien. Without a strong power level to detect, they had to rely on sight and sound. The fact that his ki could not be detected, meant that he was either unconscious... or dead.

They looked round the small Island for a few seconds when Gohan pointed at the path leading up to Krillin's house, where a body laid motionless on the floor.

"Its Tien!!" Gohan screamed.

They ran over and turned their friend onto his back as Krillin supported his head. Tien had two gaping wounds were the blood was openly flowing through, as well cuts an bruises all over his body. He was obviously in immense pain, but he still managed wake himself up to warn his friends.

"Kr-Krillin.. You...m-m-must.."

"No Tien, save you're strength... You're gonna make it buddy.." Krillin tried to comfort him, though he feared the worst.

"I can't believe I let this happen.. DAMMIT!" Goku screamed enraged by his own ignorance.

"Its...N-not you're... f-fault.." Tien tried to start when he was interrupted by a familiar voice behind them.

"Tien, Krillins' right, you have to save you're strength.."

The group turned around to see an upset Piccolo who seemed rather shaken up. Over the course of years, Tien and Piccol had become good friends as they both shared a fondness for meditation as well as fighting. Many a time they would train together despite the obvious difference in strength.

"Who did this to you Tien?!" a tear-stricken Gohan screamed out.

Piccolo and the others leaned in closer towards their friend and comrade as he tried so hard to form a simple sentence. His energy was too low to even breathe as he struggled to take in air.

"A-Android...."

Tien gave his last breath as he quickly passed away naming but half of the warriors name. Krillin held back the tears as he closed Tien's eyes with his fingers and laid him down on the grass. They sat in silence mourning the loss of their friend. It would be maybe years till they could bring him back.

Piccolo sttod away from the crowd however as he shook in grief and anger. His ki emlated around him as he had nothing but revenge on the mind for the mechanical being that this to Tien. Gohan looked up at his mentor and could feel the nager coursing through his veins. He knew exactly what he was thinking, but being his inquisitive self, inquired anyway.

"Piccolo, what are you thinking?"

Piccolo didn't answer. He kept his gaze fixed on Tien's limp body as he prepared for take off away from the island. Before he flew away however, he muttered something very softly... which Krillin and Goku could not hear.

After he left, Krillin came to life as he jumped up and stared at Goku and Gohan.

"This is the work of Android 17!! He came looking for me goddammit!! This is my fault! WE HAVE TO STOP HIM NOW! God only knows how strong he is at the moment..."

Tears rolled down his cheeks which he immediately wiped away.

"I'm gonna go find him... It's me he wants...."

"Krillin wait! NO!" Goku shouted after Krillin, but he had already flew away.

Goku looked at his son, the grief apparnt in his face, as well as fear.

"God only knows how strong 17 is now, if thats the case, then I think we may have trouble... I fear for Krillin.."

Gohan looked shaken ever since Piccolo had left. It took Goku a few moments to realise that his son was not listening to a word he was saying. Goku saw the fear in his son's face and immediately realised something was not right..

"Gohan, whats wrong?"

"Dad... I think we have more trouble than we bargained for..." He looked up at his father who seemed taken back by his son's statement.

"What do you mean???"

Goku stepped forward towards Gohan with curiosity and frustration blending together in his mind.

"Before Piccolo left... He said something almost inaudible.. remember?"

Goku nodded in return, slowly.

"Well I heard what he said, and what he said was,'..I will destroy you, Android 18..'.."

Goku jumped up in surpise and clutched at his head. This was certainly MUCH more than trouble. On one hand they had Krillin's life, and on the other they had Juuhachigou's. To save Krillin, they would have to stop Juunanagou, and to save Juuhachigou they would have to stop Piccolo. They were certainly up shit creek this time...

"I see... Tien's last words were 'Android'... That could mean 17 or 18.." Goku realised as he stared toward the sun.

"Well... My money's on 17 being the warrior in question. 18 would be too distraught by now to destroy..."

"Piccolo must think that Juuhachigou killed Tien because of what Krillin did... Tien and Piccolo were close.."

"What are we gonna do Dad?"

"I 'm gonna go find 18, you find 17. As long as Piccolo and Juunanagou are apprehended, we can rest easy... Stopping them is gonna be the hard part...."

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"... I will find you Krillin... You will not live this time...."

Juunanagou had landed in Capsule Corp. He knew that Krillin would come here sooner or later, and he would kill him when he did.

He hid in a little wooded area so he was not to be spotted by pedestrians or worse, one of Krillin's friends. The time was drawing close to three o' clock as the sun still shined brightly throught the trees that surrounded him. His thoughts went back to his sister, and then to Tien. For some reason, he felt bad about killing the human. In actual fact, he respected the man for standing up for his friend. He would have spared Tien's life, if only he wasn't standing up for the wrong friend that is...

He snapped out of his train of thought when he heard a sly voice sneer behind him.

"Welcome to the jungle punk. Shame you won't live to enjoy it..."

Juunanagou stood up straight with his back to the challenger in suprise. A smile slowly appeared on his face however, as he laughed evilly..

"...Nice to see you... Vegeta..."

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WHOA! Emotional chapter right here!! Piccolo believes its 18, Krillin believes its 17! Who will pay the price for this misunderstanding? Will Vegeta be able to defeat a new and improved Android 17? Find out next time in
CHAPTER 2 - FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS


So what did you think this time? I tried to add a bit of action in it to create a bigger dramatic picture. Krillin and 18 romance flashbacks will come in every chapter so enjoy guys!! Thank you for the wonderful reviews. God bless, and review again!!

MECHA-Griever