Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ. Once more, very much cut and dried.


Chapter 2

"Come on, Goku. Let go."

"Wuitffogoo."

"Goku, NO!" Bulma shrieked with a death glare. "The picknick food was enough. You are not going to eat the basket, too!"

Goku opened his jaws and Bulma took out the basket. Teeth marks were visible on one edge. Krillin laughed. "Man, Goku, that appetite of yours is big enough to put McDonalds out of business!"

Bulma muttered something and put the picknick basket away where Goku couldn't reach it. Before her, on a red and white blanket, lay the ravaged remains of what had once been a very large lunch. Now, only a few crumbs remained.

"Man, it's a good thing I loaded up good the first time." Yamcha said with a grin. "By the time I finished, everything else was gone."

Goku put a hand behind his head and laughed. "Sorry, guys. It's just that it's so good. I can't help myself."

Bulma shook her head and smiled. "No, it's okay Goku. By now, we've known you long enough to know how you are when food is involved."

"Hey, Goku, how come Chi Chi couldn't be here?" Krillin said.

Goku grinned. "Well, actually, that's something I meant to tell you earlier. You see, Chi Chi is..."

Before he could finish his sentence, a blue flash lit up the picknick area. Goku covered his eyes against the glare. When it faded, Krillin lay on the picknick blanket with a large bloody hole in his back. He wasn't moving. Blood was slowly staining the blanket.

"Krillin! Oh no!" Goku was at his friend's side in a moment. Reaching into the small pouch on his belt, he took out a small green bean. "Here. Eat this. It's senzu." Bulma held his head.up while Goku pushed the small bean into Krillin's mouth. Yamcha was on his feet, looking around warily. He tried to look every way at once, but he failed to see or sense anyone. "Goku, there's no one out there!"

Goku didn't answer. He was too busy helping Krillin to eat the bean. Finally Krillin managed to swallow it. The magic bean did its work quickly, and soon Krillin was able to sit up. "Thanks, Goku. That was a close one."

They both stood. "Yamcha, did you see anything?"

"Not a thing! Whoever's out there is really good."

"You bet he is. He took me out in one shot. I didn't even see it coming!" Krillin said.

"I don't like this, guys. We'd better get out of here."

Bulma quickly gathered everything on the blanket and dropped it into the basket. "Stupid blood. Now my blanket's ruined."

"I'm sorry, Bulma. next time, I'll try to bleed a little less." Krillin snapped. He was still upset about nearly dying, and the fact that there was no sign at all of the attacker was very unnerving.

They left together, the three fighters looking around constantly. The field was eerily quiet. Not a bird was singing, and the wind had died.

Once they reached the road, Goku said: "I think it would be best if we just went home together. I don't think any of us should be on our own."

"Not me, Goku. I live only a short way from here. I'll be home in no time." Yamcha said.

"Are you sure, Yamcha?" Krillin pressed.

Yamcha grinned. "Sure. I'll be okay."

"You be careful, Yamcha!" Bulma called as he flew off. He waved once, then he disappeared behind the trees.

Goku and Krillin dropped off Bulma at Capsule Corporation. Then they went their separate ways, after Krillin promised to call as soon as he got home.

As Goku flew home, he though about what had happened at the picknick site. Who had attacked them, and why? He knew it wasn't Piccolo, he would just have stepped out and challenged Goku. Anyway, he wouldn't have been interested in Krillin at all. So it had to be someone else. But with that kind of power, who could go unnoticed for so long?

He shook his head. He didn't have any answers, but he didn't think it would take long for at least some of the mystery to be cleared up. After all, if the attacker had taken the trouble to attack once, he would probably attack again.