Quickly, Neimi removed her hand from Goku's arm. She blinked, twice, her head beginning to pound. The last few moments were blurring, her thoughts too big for her skull; but it wasn't in her nature to swoon. She could smell the male next to her, so different from Bern (and there was no one who had a scent like Yule) – she wrinkled her nose. This one had a mate. That wasn't Saiyan.

Anger is the second emotion.

Who had said that? Neimi couldn't remember. The three of them had lived their entire lives alone . . . always alone. Which was probably why she was struggling so badly trying to tune out the many arrow-like thoughts stabbing into her from the group of the strangest people she had ever seen, assembled in front of her now. Goku (what a funny name!) had lulled her into a false sense of security, she could see that now. Had that really been a dream, or a sending to confuse her? She edged away from him, eyes darting from face to face.

And found, among the open curiosity, one closed face, full of venom. This one, she recognized from so long ago.



Neimi held herself perfectly still at the sound of this voice, her attention jerking from that angry face. It was one of the strange females, an Earthling. She was beautiful, with large dark blue eyes and silky black hair, and she was walking slowly toward Neimi with a soft smile. Unable to stop herself, Neimi let out a warning snarl that quickly pitched into a chainsaw screech that halted the woman's forward movement. Goku looked a little startled.

Don't worry, she said, blue eyes sparkling. I'm not going to touch you. My name is Videl.

Neimi was shaking. Anger is the second emotion. She was angry. Why, then? She was afraid. She was hurt by the desertion of her family. All of their plans had crumbled the moment Goku popped into existence on that cold and ugly planet close to the galaxy's core. She was worried. Why had that Other Power let her leave? That was too easy . . .

Another man stepped forward now, putting his hand on Videl's shoulder. Videl smiled up at him with such warmth . . .

This is Gohan, she said, turning her smile on Neimi. Piccolo, Trunks, Goten, Dende, Mr. Popo, Vegeta.

Vegeta!

Vegeta snapped, staring fit to burn a hole through Neimi's head, where did you get . . . this girl?

Goku grinned, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. I dunno exactly where that was –

Why did you bring her here? Vegeta cut him off, a tic working in his left temple.

Why not? Goku asked seriously. She could help us. Look at her, Vegeta!

Neimi pulled herself to her full height, reveling in the extra few inches she had over the smaller Saiyan. He walked right up to her, smirking as he invaded her personal space, cocksure she couldn't hurt him.

Who are you? he asked, eyes smoldering. She didn't reply, too busy reaching out for any sign that part of Bern or Yule still existed.

Vegeta's fingers, peeking out from below his elbow, twitched. I said, who are you? Why are you here?

How dare you ask me that?! Neimi shouted in his face. She saw the two half-breed kids jump at her sudden power of speech and then grin at each other. No one else was smiling. Furious tears built up behind her eyes, she felt like she was going to explode. She didn't notice the sun and warm blue sky disappearing in a chill wind.

How dare you, she seethed, nose to nose with the source of all her pain. Power swirled around her, not yet with any luminescence, though everyone recognized its feel. Dear prince, how could you have forgotten us?

Even Vegeta couldn't miss the deadly sarcasm in her voice. His lip curled, but he wasn't about to admit he didn't know what she meant. Instead, he turned his back on her, gracefully removing himself from a conversation that wasn't going his way. And it was then that Neimi saw the deformity – he no longer had his tail. Revolted, she recoiled and felt her heels press into the edge of the bizarre platform Goku had brought her to. he sensed a wave of sympathy emanate from the female – from Videl.

A great clap of thunder rocked them all, stinging eardrums and sending Neimi's headache to new heights. She heard Goku swear softly under his breath.

So much for having time to train . . .

Neimi understood immediately. The Others had arrived.

******

Pan cried shrilly, her big eyes going even wider. Mama's in trouble!

Chichi soothed, with her face pressed to the kitchen window. The sky was darkening rapidly with ugly black and green thunderheads, accompanied by a strong wind. She'll be fine. We have to hope . . . they'll be fine.

******

Good job, sister," Yule whispered. The sun gone, he seemed to glow against the black backdrop of the stormy sky, looking like a ghost. Thank you, for bringing us here so quickly.

The last few words were spoken with an eerie echo, slamming into Neimi's brain with psychotic laughter from many misshapen, unseen throats. Malicious cold pierced her right between the eyes and she fought the urge to retch. Bern floated next to Yule, his expression alien.

She was no good for our comrade, he commented sibilantly, but she was good for this. Our third will be here soon.

Neimi, trapped between these unknown strangers and the two she cared about more than her own life, felt hatred rise like bile in the back of her throat.

Give me back my brother.

...continued...