Lost Kin
Chapter 1: Past Meets Present
Author- Okami
"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up."
Thomas EdisonGoku sighed heavily as he relaxed in the hot bath his wife had made for him. He let his subconscious drift back to the distant past, towards his first born child. Almost fifteen years ago, his only daughter had been taken from him by someone who looked exactly like him--Turles. When ChiChi found out, she burst into hysterics, not letting anyone in the house until they found her little angel. Unfortunately, no one could find a trace of the two, considering they traveled into outer space.
About seven years later Goku found out that he was going to be a father again. He made a vow not to let his son be taken from him, even if it cost killed him. Evidently, it did kill him once when his brother Radditz came for a visit. With Gohan's and Piccolo's help, they were able to defeat Radditz but at the cost of Goku's own life.
A childish voice brought Goku out of his trance. His gentle gaze fell down to meet the innocent one of his eight-year-old son, Gohan. His thick black hair hung down his back and his dark eyes stared intently at his father.
"What's wrong daddy?" his childish voice asked again. Even though Gohan was his son, Goku could not bring himself to tell him about his older sibling. Maybe later he kept telling himself.
"Nothing son," he smiled at him.
"Gohan! Why aren't you studying?" a female voice shouted from inside the house. They both cringed at the thought of dealing with an angry ChiChi. Gohan reluctantly trudged back to his room and studied extra hard to please his demanding and overprotective mother.
Goku, after a while of thinking and basking in the warmth of the tub, reluctantly dried himself off and strolled into the house. To his surprise, his wife was sitting at the kitchen table staring off into space. Walking slowly so as not to startle her, the spiky-haired warrior crept up behind her and began rubbing her thin shoulders.
After a few moments of silence, ChiChi whispered,
"Do you think it is time to tell Gohan about…about his sister?"
"I do not know. He is probably ready but I don't think I am."
"I know what you mean, but he has to know."
"I guess you are right," Goku sighed. He knocked on Gohan's door and told him to come into the dinning room. Thinking he was in trouble, the young half-Saiyan sulked into the room where his parents awaited him. To his surprise, they both seemed distracted and upset about something.
"What's wrong?" he finally questioned.
"Your mother and I have something we need to tell you," Goku began, "well…you see…you have an older sister. Her name is Tritana and she was kidnapped seven years before you were born."
Gohan took a few moments to digest it all then nearly shouted, "How come you didn't tell me before?"
"We wanted to wait until you were ready before we said anything," ChiChi said soothingly. She got up from her chair and hugged her only son tightly. Hot tears cascaded down her lovely face as she continued to hug her only son. The phone chose that moment to let out a high pitch BRING, nearly giving everyone a heart attack. After a few moments of recovery, Goku reluctantly picked it up.
"Hello? Oh hi Krillin. Huh…what? Why?…well okay…hold on a sec," Goku sent the phone down, picked up the remote for the TV and flipped to channel five. He listened for a few moments about some outdoor parade when something in the sky caught his eye. He looked closer to see something streaking across the blue summer sky. He instantly picked up the phone, said he'd be there in a few, then hung up.
"Gohan, we've got to go. ChiChi, don't worry about a thing. We'll be back by dinner time." ChiChi reluctantly released her grasp of her son. Although she was used to them flying off into battle, she still couldn't help but worry about their safety. Goku took his son's small hand in his and used his instant transmission to teleport himself to Bulma's house. There they met up with Krillin, Yamcha, and Tien. Puar and Chaozu were over at Master Roshi's fixing him and Oolong meals.
Goku looked around suddenly. "Where's Vegeta?" he asked after scanning the area for his fellow Saiyan.
Bulma snorted. "He went off all ready. He said that you all would just get in his way."
Goku chuckled at the comment. It sounded just like the Prince of all Sayiens to say something like that. After a mutual agreement of not using the instant transmission, the Z fighters set about flying off to find the strange object that streaked through the sky. Thanks to their sixth sense in finding power levels, they located a small power level due east, right next to a good size lake.
The group of warriors arrived at the spot only minutes after the circular object embedded itself in the earth's soil. So as not to be spotted immediately, they all landed a few yards away from the impact zone.
"What took you so long?"
Everyone's eyes raised to meet the cold black ones of the Prince of Saiyans. Before anyone could respond, an explosion sounded from inside the newly formed crater; a huge mushroom of smoke blew high into the air. The fighters quickly rushed to the edge of the hole and peered inside. When the smoke cleared, a cloaked figure could be seen examining the outside shell of the space pod. A familiar emblem on the side of the pod told the Z fighters that whomever was down there was obviously a Ginyu Force member.
As for the figure, well, lets just say they did not seem too happy to find that their ride was nearly inoperable. A dark green cloak covered the stranger's features and the hood revealed nothing but a dark hole where a face should have been. The cloaked figure examined the entire surface area of the pod before, appearing satisfied, began to float out of the crater. They hovered in the air while examining the surrounding terrace. Fortunately for the other warriors, the stranger did not look in their direction, but instead, drifted off towards the large blue lake. The person suddenly lurched forward and bent their legs under them. A few minutes passed while the stranger clutched their stomach and ever so slowly drifted down toward the water. The foreigner disappeared into the lake with a splash, losing their concentration only a few yards from the surface of the water.
Many moments passed before the cloaked figure emerged, dripping wet, from the lake. The person seemed distraught as they struggled for a decent breath and laid down on the grassy shore. The green cloak hung loosely around a slim figure but the hood remained in place, hiding the person's facial features.
The fighters slowly dropped down a short distance from the stranger. Cautiously, they made their way towards the outsider; only after Goku gave the okay.
Only a few feet to go and the stranger still had not moved. Since Krillin was the closest, he had no idea what was about the happen. The cloaked person launched into air and kicked the bald headed man in his chest, knocking him back into Yamcha. The force of the impact propelled all the air out of his lungs and Krillin fell to his knees to ease the pain, trying to return air into his now painful lungs.
Goku, once making sure his friend was all right, turned his attention to the intruder. His black eyes narrowed in anger, his muscles tensed, and his Saiyan blood pumped quicker threw his veins, hungering for battle and victory.
A small puddle of dark colored liquid in the grass caught his eye, so he turned his gaze slightly to observe it. To his great surprise the dark liquid was not mud as he had originally thought but blood. Realization caused him to do a double take and stare at the stranger closer. As his eyes scanned the foreigner, he sensed their power level fading rapidly.
After a moment of hesitation he asked, "Do you need help?" Various comments and gasps from behind him sounded at the thought of helping someone from the Ginyu Force.
"Kakarrot don't be a softy. If you are afraid to fight then let a man do it."
Goku turned his ice-cold gaze on Vegeta and replied calmly, "It wouldn't be fair to fight someone who is hurt and can't fight with full strength and you know it." Turning back to the outsider he took a few steps forward.
The dark green fabric swished as the figure took up fighting stance. White gloves and a dark blue under suit penetrated the darkness beneath the cloak; they tightened into fists and prepared for battle.
"Just leave me alone," a voice hissed from under the hood.
Goku stopped in mid stride as the rough and weary voice hissed at him. A child-like smile spread across his face. "I can help you, but you have to trust me first."
The voice chuckled painfully. "Trust you huh? Do you take me for a fool Saiyan?"
"How do you know I'm a Saiyan?" he asked, eyebrows shooting up in amazement.
"Power levels don't lie. I know he's a Saiyan as well." The hood made a gesture behind them, where Vegeta was now standing; even though the stranger had never looked in that direction.
"Can you sense power levels?"
"Perhaps."
Getting the feeling that he was not going to get a straight answer, Goku scrunched his face, folded his arms across his chest, and sighed heavily.
A rough, deep voice demanded, "Then at least tell us who you are and what you're doing here."
The foreigner looked up above the other fighters to see a tall green man with a white cape trailing behind him. Pink pads were in place of muscles, and his legs and chest were covered in a lightweight, purple fabric. Large pointed shoulder pads extended from the Nameks' shoulders. He floated down beside the Z fighters to get a better look at the stranger.
"Mr. Piccolo!" a childish voice cried. Gohan ran over to the man- Piccolo- and smiled up at him. In return Piccolo patted the little half-sayiens' head.
"Well?" the Namek asked, more persistent this time. "Are you going to answer?"
The gloved fists disappeared back into the cloak and the figure stood up right. One of the hands reappeared and made a sweeping motion, implying for the Z fighters to go first.
"Okay, here we go," Goku began slowly, "I'm Goku, and these are my friends Krillin, Yamcha, Tien. This is Piccolo, a Namek," he said pointing to the green man. "This is my son Gohan and behind you is Vegeta."
The figure stiffened at the last name and drew in a sudden breath. Everyone watched as the still unknown person turned, very stiffly, to face the Prince of Saiyans. An animalistic growl escaped through the hood as the covered eyes spotted Vegeta.
"Let it be known that I do this only out of respect for the Saiyan race," the rough yet feminine voice said and knelt on one knee.
Vegeta's eyebrows went up at the display of respect he was receiving from this stranger; his ego went up a notch as well. And yet, something about the stranger was familiar but he couldn't place exactly what.
After rising from the kneeling position, the figure turned back around and stared intently at the people in front of them. With a bit of hesitation, the person removed the wet, dark green cloak. To everyone's great surprise, the person underneath the cloak was a girl no older than 18.
Although she was young, she was extremely well built and muscular. Her long, jet-black hair was pulled back in a neat braid that reached just below her hips. A good size lock of hair covered the left side of her face. The uncovered hazel eye, glazed over with fever, scanned over the crowd before her and a samurai mask covered her chin, lips, and nose. Although she stood tall and proud, a good portion of her midsection was soaked in blood.
"My name is Tritana Bardock," she said, voice still cracked and rough.
"Tri-Tri-Tritana?" Yamcha, Tien, and Krillin squeaked in unison. As the girl nodded slowly Goku's body went rigid and his mouth dropped open.
"Is…is that my sister?" Gohan asked dumbfounded, his eyes darting from his father to the girl and back.
Before Goku could recover from the first shock another came right behind it. A monkey-like tail emerged from behind the female and twisted in the air. Vegeta's own gasp caused a turn of heads and eyes. He stood with arms still across his chest but his eyes were wide and his mouth had gone slack.
"Now, you recognize me Saiyan Prince. It took you longer than I thought," Tritana smirked. She hadn't turned around but she knew what had caused him to take in the sudden breath; her tail-not her name, had given her identity away.
"You know her?" Goku asked, glancing at Vegeta. No words came out of the Prince's open mouth but his head nodded slightly.
"Allow me to introduce myself properly," she began, saluting with her fore and middle finger, "I am Tritana Bardock, First Class Saiyan Warrior, Captain of the Ginyu Force, and General of Freeza's army." After that she bowed slightly, grimacing at the sharp pain in her abdomen. Old habits are hard to break, she thought to herself after saluting.
She opened her mouth to add something when the pain became too much. Her body lurched forward and fell into Goku, who had come up to her after hearing her introduction.
Goku reached out his arms to catch his daughter only to be pushed away. He watched as his long lost offspring clutched her stomach in agony and pulled away from his touch. Even though he held her for just a moment, it was enough to feel her hot and sweaty skin. If she did not get to a doctor soon she might die from a fever or possibly an infection.
***Authors Note***
I just wanted to make it clear that I do not own DBZ. I do however own Tritana, Anon, Obsidian and Draco so please do not take them without my permission. Also, if you have questions or comments feel free to e-mail me at animewolf5@yahoo.com. Be warned that flames will be read and sometimes responded to but most will be incinerated.
