Chapter 23- Looking to the Future
A.N. Ok, so it's been a while since I gave a special mention to the people who keep me writing this fic… the reviewers!!! Here goes…
VJ- long time no review! I was worried that maybe your sister had gone ssj on you again (or that you'd lost interest O.o)
Moongoddes- don't worry, I too am a self confessed incurable veggieholic, I won't make him look bad ^_^
Pheonix + anyone else who's interested, yes I do have a mailing list, just e mail me at angeloutoftime@another.com and let me know, alternatively you could sign the guest book at my site (http://www.dreamwater.org/aoot) and leave your e mail address to let me know… whatever is easier!
Everyone else who reviews frequently – I know who you are, I do remember you, I know your names, but I hate it when authors write long A.N.'s instead of getting on with the story! So without further ado….
Disclaimer: I don't own it, so don't sue J
Muuri lead them to a small candlelit room containing a simple table with four chairs around it, made out of what appeared to be wood. He motioned for them to sit down, which they gladly did.
"So" Muuri started "I suppose you're wondering what happened and how you got here?"
"Yeah, not to mention where exactly 'here' is" muttered Krillin suspiciously.
Muuri laughed
"We meant no harm, we simply used mind control techniques to make you pass out and then brought you here, to our underground shelter, while Guru searched your minds for evil." He smiled at them as if this would make everything crystal clear.
"Um… so are you always so suspicious of guests or what?" Krillin raised an eyebrow
"Yeah, or maybe you've never seen anyone who's not green before! Is that it?" Goku grinned. Muuri, however, suddenly turned very serious.
"We have seen people of other races before, and unfortunately past experience has lead us to act as we do. We are a naturally friendly and trusting people, but we have seen many horrors in the last two years, we have become nervous of outsiders." His eyes were sad
"What happened?" Krillin said, suddenly concerned.
"Frieza" was Muuri's simple reply.
"He's been here?" Goku said, shocked.
"Yes, and while here he managed to destroy over three quarters of our race, our beautiful landscape was ransacked and our trust and peace was destroyed, I fear, forever"
"But why?" Krillin asked, while he felt Goku's rage building at the thought of the injustices.
"He wants to sell our planet, he attempted to exterminate our race and destroy our villages in order to prepare the planet for sale."
"That's terrible," the earthlings gasped
"Yes, but luckily he failed. We used the dragon balls to bring a huge storm to the planet, terrible enough to drive even Frieza and his men away. In the process, those who forfeited their place in this shelter to make the wish where killed, so ferocious was the storm they conjured. Once it cleared, we had two more wishes; with these we restored the natural beauty of the planet and the lives of those who had not been dead for over a year. However, this did not apply to many, Frieza was here for over a year and killed most of our number in the first three weeks, leaving only the most fortunate and stealthy of us to live in hiding for the rest of the time."
"It's so unfair!" said Goku, now shaking with rage "if only we'd been here!"
"There would have been little you could have done, Frieza is a monster like no other in this universe. Only one creature has come close to matching him, and that creature is the one you seek to revive"
"How did you know about Vegeta?" Krillin gasped
"He was killed in a fight which took place on one of our very own moons. The moon was destroyed in the process, we are most grateful to him for not facing Frieza down here on Namek, he will be welcomed here once he is wished back."
"Gosh, that Guru guy really did a good job of reading our minds!" Goku laughed
"Yes, but I'm sure you understand why we found it necessary!" Muuri smiled
"Of course, but back to the dragon ball hunt, will you help us?" Krillin asked eagerly
"Any plan to rid the universe of Frieza is a plan backed by every Namekian left standing" Muuri replied, his tone heavy again. All three nodded in appreciation. Their peace was interrupted by a commotion outside the room.
"Excuse me for a second gentlemen, I must find out what the racket is!" Muuri frowned and left the room, returning moments later with a twisting, clawing ball of hair.
"Let go of me green man, or I'll slice you in two!" it growled in a very familiar petulant tone
"Yajirobe?" The earthlings cried
"Huh?" the ball ceased it's raging, Yajirobe lifted his head and Muuri released him.
"This gentleman was found pounding on our front door demanding we release you!" Muuri smiled
"Really Yajirobe? That was kind of brave!" said Goku proudly.
"Yeah well" Yajirobe began grudgingly "I saw em take you away and knew you'd probably need me to save the day AGAIN"
"Thanks Yajirobe, but it's ok, these guys are good guys!" Krillin grinned
"Well lucky for them, 'cos otherwise I'd be chopping them into itty bitty pieces right now with my superior swordsmanship skills!"
"'Course ya would Yajirobe!" smiled Goku. "But now I think we have to leave, I'm starved!"
"Yeah, good idea Goku, we'll start the hunt tomorrow" Krillin agreed as they got up to leave.
Yajirobe shrugged, any idea involving food was fine by him.
"Just head left out of the gates and keep going straight, you should find your ship with little difficulty," Muuri beamed "and come back tomorrow, I'm sure you'll find lots of experienced dragon ball hunters to help you, plus Guru is eager to speak with you!"
"Will do!" Goku returned his smile and the team headed out into the night.
In Yama's office…
"Another favor? Honestly Kami, how many times a week do I have to bail you out?" Yama scowled
"I only want one more thing of you and then you won't see me, Vegeta or Bulma again until one of them dies" Kami replied, knowing how to tempt Yama into a deal was a useful skill indeed.
"I'm listening, but make it quick, I have sleep to catch up on"
Kami took a deep breath
"I want to move Vegeta and Bulma out of limbo" he smiled
"If you think I'm sending Vegeta to heaven just yet you're insane, the man's lucky enough to be out of hell no matter what his future is!"
"No, not heaven, I simply want to move them to my lookout"
"WHAT????"
Kami was unfazed, he had predicted this reaction and was well prepared.
"Do you know what will happen if Vegeta stays here much longer? He might well go insane, and therefore be little use in saving the universe or restoring the correct order of time, on the other hand he may stay sane and continue to terrorize every soul in limbo, thus causing it to be no longer limbo but hell, upsetting the balance of the whole system!"
Yama's head hurt, he hated speaking to Kami, the green man always seemed to fill his head with too many "bigger picture" thoughts.
"FINE! JUST GET OUT OF HERE AND GIVE ME SOME PEACE!" he yelled in frustration. Kami simply bowed and left, hearing Yama mutter "ogre get me an aspirin! Damn green bean…"
Kami smiled. Now he had done something to deserve Bulma's thanks.
Yes, I know it was short, but it's a kinda chapter between two chapters if you get what I mean! Anyway… review or die!!! Moo ha ha ha!