Vegeta surprised himself by waking to the rhythmic up-and-down motion of his head. Then he realized he'd fallen asleep, and was now using Goku as a pillow. He could hear the younger fighter's healthy heart beating under his ear, so Vegeta immediately levered himself off and laid the other way. If they hadn't killed him already then they weren't going to, he decided. Yawning, he took one last glance at the somehow still burning fire before drifting off again.

He awoke again to the ruckus of getting ready to leave. As it turned out, no one except Goku was a morning person, especially when the only transportation was seriously broken. Vegeta joined the others outside, still groggy from actually sleeping.

"Well, I can't fix it," Krillin was saying, eyeing the shattered Namek vessel.

"I wasn't expecting you to, nitwit," Bulma said, climbing Kami's old ship. "But it would help if you could stop these leaks." She went to work with a hammer and a monkey wrench.

'Oh, how high-tech,' Goku couldn't help thinking. 'She can invent things no one has ever dreamed of, she can pilot an alien ship to two different planets, and she can make something than can travel almost the speed of light, but she has to fix it with a hammer?' It was ridiculously funny to him. He grinned and went to see if she needed any help.

"The only help I need is to keep you sane!" she yelled. "Go and... get some water or something! Food maybe! Just get out of my face or so help you Kami!" She shook the hammer at him, but the threat might have been more effective had she not slipped and almost fallen off. "Get OUT of here!" she finally bellowed.

"Morning Vegeta," Goku said cheerfully. Vegeta only grunted in response. "I'm surrounded by people who think morning is a curse!"

"I'm hungry is all. What's to eat?" he called up to Bulma.

"Whatever you can find," she yelled back between whacks. "But you better hurry. I plan to leave in about an hour!" She wiped the sweat off her forehead and the hammer slipped, hitting Vegeta on the head. He growled, but she only put her hands on her hips and demanded that he give it back.

"It'll take us that long to find anything," Goku muttered to himself. "Hey Vegeta! Are you any good at fishing?" Vegeta gave him a peculiar look, and Goku's smile widened.

Bulma heard Goku and leaned as far over the side of the ship as she dared. "No fish!" she yelled, the image of a seven-year-old Goku padding happily along with a six-foot fish trailing behind him still fresh in her mind.. "No! Not any! You hear me? If I so much as SMELL a fish I'll kill you! Goku!" She noticed Krillin trying to sneak off and go with them, but Bulma's sharp eye caught him. "No way! You have enough water to put up with in there, so get to it!"

Krillin hesitated. "Bring back lots of fish Goku!" he yelled after his best friend before scurrying back into the ship.

Goku's Saiyan ears heard them both quite clearly. He turned to Vegeta, that same grin still plastered on his face. "You heard the man. Let's go!"

As Vegeta quickly learned, Goku's... UNIQUE fishing habits were actually quite effective. He even tried it and was surprised at how easy it was to dropkick an extremely large flounder halfway across the lake.

Goku crawled out of the water with his prize, a trout a little bigger than the one Bulma remembered. "Hey, nice catch, Vegeta," he complimented when the older warrior flung his meal, a little over the twelve-foot mark, onto the beach.

"Yeah. A good snack," he agreed, his spiky black hair falling in his eyes. "Let's get back before that woman can smell us."

Bulma, however, was waiting for them with one finger pointed back toward the water. "Bath," she ordered, The boys dropped the fish and turned. "Oh, no. You are to take these back with you."

Krillin raced up to grab one. "Forget it. I'LL cook the damn things if it means I can eat."

Most of Goku's catch was gone by the time the fishermen returned. "Krillin, I swear you're one of us sometimes," he said, looking over his half-eaten snack.

"No kidding, Cueball," Vegeta said as he ripped out a huge chunk of the alien food. "This is pretty good." He may have been a prince, but his eating habits left much to be desired. It was almost like having double vision watching the Saiyans eat. Krillin bit back a remark about how Vegeta looked like a rat when he ate; cheeks all puffed out and still shoving more in.

"Well, I fixed it," Bulma said, wiping her hands on an oily cloth. "It's enough to get us home."

"Yeah! We're going home!" Goku cheered. Flecks of fish flew out of his mouth before he had the sense to swallow. "Finally!"

"All except me," Vegeta said coolly, finishing the last bit of his meal.

"Then what are you going to do? Float around in space for a while? Hey, that's not such a bad idea," Bulma said, rubbing her chin. Vegeta only looked at her proudly, then sneered.

"Well, you can stay with us for a while," Goku offered. "After two months straight, you might like what you find. Think about it, okay?"

"Well, I wouldn't take it that far," Krillin muttered. "Besides, how are the others going to handle it? I mean, if Bulma doesn't kill him Chi Chi will."

"If Bulma and Vegeta both make it to Earth then we'll have nothing to worry about," Goku said, stretching.

"Who says we'll get along?" Bulma interrupted. "I still haven't forgiven him."

"For what?" Krillin wanted to know.

"Oh, I'm sure I'll find something. Besides the fifty-two things already on my list."

"Fifty three," Krillin muttered, shielding his eyes. A certain prince had just knocked off part of the ship.

"You got any Scotch tape?" Goku asked.

"No," Bulma said tolerantly.

"Think super glue'll work then?"

"Goku, do we HAVE super gule?" Goku thought for a minute then shook his head. "Then I guess we won't find out, will we?" She shook her head and grabbed Vegeta and stood him by Goku. "You, just stay out of my way," she ordered. "Now, get in that stupid ship!"

She went over to the ship, complaining about how stupid men were the entire way. Vegeta shook his head and followed Krillin. Goku paused, looking back to where he'd last seen Gohan. 'I'll wish you back, son,' he silently vowed. Then, with one sun setting and another starting to rise, he turned back to the ship.

============================================

"Um, hello?"

The giant leaned over his desk. The little boy standing there was playing with the hem of his shirt. "Yes? How may I help you?"

"Well..." He dropped his shirt and looked up. "Are you King Kai? I have to find him. My dad might need my help."

"No, I'm King Yemma. How do you know about King Kai?" He adjusted his glasses and peered closer. There was something very familiar about this boy, but he couldn't put his finger on it.

"Dad told me about him. He said he was a great trainer. Well, now I need to train if I'm gonna help." He was looking more hopeful and less like a little kid with each passing moment.

"Who was your dad?" Yemma asked, finally frustrated with trying to figure out who the hell this kid was. He looked so damn familiar, but who did he look like?

"Goku," the boy said proudly, with none of the meekness from before. He looked up, and Yemma could see in his eyes he wasn't any ordinary little boy.

Yemma saw the resemblance in a minute. That same simple-minded innocence and if-you-only-believe charm was the same. "Yes. Who could forget him? But how did you get here?"

"Frieza." The venom in his voice was the same in any Saiyan, but in a human? Yemma mentally shook his head. If Goku was more than human, then his son must be as well. "So, has he been here at all?"

Yemma was still getting over his shock. This boy challenged Frieza, and almost lived through it?! Yemma and King Kai had been monitoring the fight, but who had known then this was the young warrior who had also fought Vegeta back on Earth? The strong voice brought Yemma out of his reverie.

"Sorry, m'boy. This is the EARTH check-in station. Only someone that is born or killed here comes through."

His face fell. "Did Dad come here then?" he asked sadly.

"No. I think he won. Very impressive show too." Yemma winked at him. "What's your name?"

"Gohan." He looked back up at the huge man behind the desk. "But can I train?"

Yemma nodded. "Yes. But I want to warn you about some things that you'll run into on your way. First of all, NEVER fall off of Snake Way. You won't be able to get back on." Yemma debated this for a moment, remembering that Goku had made it back, but he decided it was better to be safe than sorry. "And about halfway is a castle. That is Princess Snake's, and she'll be on the lookout for anyone coming by. Don't stop there for anything."

The guide that Yemma had sent for spotted Gohan and groaned. "If all these people make it to King Kai, we're going to have to extend Snake Way!" He allowed the little warrior to hop in the cart. "I know he likes visitors, but this is getting ridiculous! And they're all rude. Especially that green man. Violent he is. Broke a lot of things before we let him go." He kept muttering as he started to drive to Snake Way.

Gohan only grinned at the guide's words. To him that meant only one thing. Piccolo was still in action

============================================

"This is so much like the trip here," Krillin complained, staring out a window. "I wonder if we'll run into our friends with the mirror ship again."

"I hope not." Bulma shivered at the memory. "But then again, they DID have a nice piece of work there." She grinned. "Easy to pilot."

Vegeta looked at Goku, and the latter shrugged. "I have no idea. I wasn't with them."

"Well, I'm going to bed," Bulma said, stretching the cramps out of her arms and legs. "I can't believe it's already been four days!"

"I can. It seems like so much longer," Krillin muttered, tracing circles on the glass with one finger. He was bored out of his mind; it seemed like he couldn't keep his mind on his thoughts.

"Hey, Krillin," Goku said, tapping him on the shoulder. "I have a few questions to ask you."

"Hm?" Krillin looked around lazily.

Goku ticked each question off on his fingers. "One: how the hell did my son end up with Piccolo? Two: Why didn't he kill him, and three: why didn't you stop him?!" His voice got so loud that even Vegeta had to turn around. Bulma stuck her head back out to see what was going on.

Krillin tried to stop cowering long enough to give one of Goku's roundabout answers. Unfortunately, Goku had not only mastered those replies, he'd invented them. Krillin couldn't get around them. "Well, you see..." Krillin began. "Um, Piccolo knew Gohan had powers, so he took him, and he was going to kill anyone who tried to stop him." If Goku had been human, he wouldn't have understood a word. But being around Goku so much had somehow improved Bulma's hearing and she could get the gist of what he was saying, even at the speed he was saying it.

"Besides, Piccolo wouldn't let anything happen to Gohan. How do you think he died?" Bulma asked.

Goku bit back a sharp reply when Krillin continued. "Gohan just wants to be as strong as you."

"So does he!" Goku accused, pointing a finger at Vegeta. The prince only glared at him and Goku withdrew his hand.

"Was that supposed to prove a point?" Vegeta growled.

"So he fights like Piccolo with your strength. The fact is that if Piccolo hadn't taken him, he'd still be a spoiled little brat that would cry then change into a twenty-foot monkey! He loves you and respects the one that was actually around to teach him!" Krillin exploded. At that last insult, Goku's hair was tinted a little gold. "I'm sorry Goku. That was out of line."

"Damn right it was," he growled, but allowed his power to slip back down. He sat on the floor and glared at his best friend.

Bulma shoved Krillin out of the way and slapped Goku across the cheek. Shocked, he looked up. "Stop being such a little bastard," she ordered, waving some papers under his nose. "You know just as well as I do that Piccolo would never hurt Gohan, or anyone else I know, with the exception of Vegeta. Get over it. Maybe once we all get back you'll have more time together. Until then, get a grip on reality and hold on tight." She dropped the papers in his lap and left.

Bulma was almost as amazed at her antics as Vegeta was. She didn't look back, but she could feel their eyes on her back as she left. Goku dug through the pile of drawings. Then he realized that Gohan had done them. The first half were stick figures labeled and with no background, but the others were complete with clothes and grass.

Goku flipped through and found one, half stick figure and some clothed characters, that he had to smile at. It showed Chi Chi, infamous frying pan in hand, running after Goku and Gohan with Piccolo hovering over them, laughing. It was a perfect depiction of his family life. Goku set the crayon drawings down and put his head back against the wall. Most of them showed Gohan's memories of their time together, but they were funny too.

Vegeta picked up the picture and immediately wondered why Kakorrot was so fond of it. It was poorly drawn, the coloring pathetic, and there was only one person he was sure he knew. He almost crumbled it up, but Goku grabbed it to lay with the others.

"Are you going to stop being a bitch?" Krillin asked.

Goku smiled. "Yep. But in order to do that, I have to take it all out on you."

Krillin was confused for a moment, then grinned. "You're on, pal." He slumped to the floor and looked at Goku. "Let's see what you've got."

Goku smirked back, both of them knowing it wasn't possible that Krillin could win. He closed his eyes, concentrating. For a moment he looked like he was in pain, then he slipped into the alternate dimension where they could fight without actually killing each other. It took less than a second for them to spot each other and begin the fight.

"Having fun?" Goku asked as he kept Krillin busy with a flurry of punches and kicks.

"You bet," he grunted, finding an open spot and lunging. He was rewarded when Goku was knocked back several feet.

"Nice," Goku complimented while he formed a ball of energy in his hands. Krillin copied him, his own hands resting at his waist. Simultaneously, they launched their attacks. The powers clashed and faded. "Hey, not bad. It's almost as strong as mine."

"But what about mine?" Both boys narrowly missed a shock that flew by them. It Krillin had any hair, it would've been reduced to a buzz cut down the right side of his head. Goku smacked it away, but it did leave a burn on his hands.

"Vegeta?" Both Earthlings wondered how he got there, and Vegeta wondered if he could take them and win.

The older man wore his trademark smirk. "Are you going to stand there and gawk or are you going to fight?" he sneered.

"Take a guess," Krillin said, launching a Destructo Disk. Vegeta jerked his head aside, though it did give him a haircut. He countered Goku's attacks with his own and somehow got time to fire at Krillin.

"Well, Kakorrot. I can't help but notice you're holding back." Vegeta shoved him back and fired away.

"And if that was your best shot you're in trouble," Goku said from his new spot behind him. "And it would take all the fun away." He taunted Vegeta a bit more.

'Spoken like a true Saiyan,' Vegeta couldn't help but think to himself. He easily avoided Goku and went after Krillin. Catching the monk, he threw him up in the air and froze him, preparing to blow him apart, his favorite finishing move. Surprisingly, Goku did the honors.

With the defeat of Krillin, the three came crashing back into their bodies. Goku rubbed his hands and Vegeta checked his hair just to make sure nothing physical had happened.

"I can't believe it! My own best friend tried to kill me!" Krillin said, outraged. "What kind of stunt WAS that Goku?"

He only smiled. "It's only making you stronger Krillin."

"Well you coulda done that BEFORE we killed Frieza! Who's left to fight besides Cactus-head over here?" Vegeta didn't so much as blink at the insult. Krillin shook his head and commented, "But wow, Vegeta. I've never seen you fight like that. How come you weren't like that when we fought Frieza?"

"I was. But he was so much stronger you really couldn't notice." He leaned against the wall and closed his eyes. He hated to admit it, but it felt good to relax. That word hadn't been in his vocabulary a week before, and now he was even having a bit of human-style fun. And he had two months of nothing happening, no fights, and no Frieza. For the first time in his life he felt really free and powerful, like some terrible thing that had been torturing him all his life had finally been killed. And he liked it.

============================================

"So, this is Snake Way?" Gohan peered out over the road from the dragon head, just as his father had done a year ago."That's it?"

"Yep. Nothin' fancy. Just a road that's about a thousand miles long. Or was it ten thousand? Either way young fella, you got a ways to go. Good luck." When he turned the cart around, the friendly country hillybilly vanished. "You'll need it kid."

Gohan heard him perfectly well and scowled without turning around. He let himself fall onto the road. "Well, I better get going then. I hope I won't be needed for a while." He got a running start and flew, humming an old song his dad taught him.

"That kid. Just like the others. Stubborn. Hope he doesn't run into those guys. Nasty bunch they were." The guide shook his head and turned the cart around. Still muttering, he made his way back to King Yemma.

============================================

"Why that little..." Chi Chi was saying, still angry at Goku, even though she'd talked to him over a week ago. She was slicing carrots, and the Ox King was afraid she'd end up cutting off her fingers, especially with the force she was using.

"Now calm down Chi Chi," he said, eyeing the blade warily. He was trying to muster up enough courage to try and wrestle the thing away from her.

His wild daughter paid him no attention. She dumped the food into a pot of boiling water, almost dumping the hot liquid over her. The Ox King finally grabbed her by the shoulders and sat her down.

"What's the matter?" Even while she slumped in the chair, he didn't let go. He'd never seen her this accident-prone. Even Goku was better than this.

"I miss them," she said finally. "I haven't seen Gohan in practically two years, and now he'd gone off to some stranger's to train, and I don't know when he'll be back! And Goku's been gone for even longer!" Her eyes narrowed at the thought of her husband. "O, just wait until I get my hands on him..."

But the Ox King's attention wasn't fully on his daughter. He barely noticed her going from absolute worry and sadness to Vegeta-level rage. He wasn't even really listening because his attention was tuned in on Bulma's father, who had come stumbling into the room. That wasn't what caught his eye though. It was the trail of blood following him and the many bruises marching up and down his arms.

Bulma's dad crept silently behind the still talking Chi Chi. The Ox King followed the scientist with his eyes, trying not to let Chi Chi see them look past her. But Chi Chi was pissed, not blind. In a moment she sat up. "Where do you think you're going?"

He ran a shaking hand through his purple hair. He knew he needed help, but he was damned if it was going to come from that woman. Even normal she would kill him, but in this state she could probably look at him and he'd keel over.

He leaned on the wall and tried to ignore the growing pain in his chest. "To the bathroom," he finally choked out, closing his eyes.

To Chi Chi it sounded like Gohan lying through his teeth. But to her father it sounded like it was time to get some help. Hoping Chi Chi wouldn't slaughter the man, he left her in quick search of a telephone.

Chi Chi smiled a little. "Nice try. That's the same stunt Gohan pulled." When she turned around, the smile vanished and a look of horror replaced it.

"Papa," Chi Chi said, going to the almost unconscious man. "Call an ambulance!" She sounded calm on the outside, trying to keep her cool, but on the inside she felt like a tornado had passed through.

"I already did," he said, leading the white-coated paramedics to the injured doctor. "They're here."

Chi Chi helped the men load the genius onto the stretcher. "Papa, go with them. I have to tell Bulma about this." She swallowed thickly, wondering how in the hell she was going to manage that.

The Ox King was giving the emergency squad a quick run-down of his history, glad for once that the two families were so close.

Chi Chi stood in front of the screen, suddenly realizing that she didn't know how to turn it on. Frustrated, she started pounding on the machine. "O, why did it have to be HIM? I don't even know how to work this thing!" After about ten minutes, she finally hit the right combination of buttons and was rewarded when the screen blinked to life.

The picture was of an empty ship. "Bulma? Bulma? Get over here," Chi Chi hissed loudly, wanting to get this over with now that she'd found the guts to do it.

"Shh," Bulma said groggily, slipping into the pilot's seat. "They're asleep."

"I have something to tell you. About your father." Bulma was immediately awake. Maybe that was the bad feeling she'd had in her gut a little while ago. She sat up and listened to her friend. "He looked like he got into a fight with both hands tied behind his back. I mean, we got him to the hospital, but I don't know about his condition."

Bulma was shocked speechless. "Will he make it?" she finally asked, throat dry, dreading the answer.

Chi Chi couldn't face Bulma, couldn't see that haunted look in her eyes. "I really don't know," she said sorrowfully to the floor. "Papa went with him, but he hasn't called or anything. It only takes them a minute to get from here to there, so I'll hear from him soon."

Both women heard the door opening, and Chi Chi turned barely in time to see it was her father. He plopped down on the chair and held his head in his hands. He was mumbling, like he was trying to convince himself of something.

"Papa?" Chi Chi cast a worried glance at Bulma, then tapped the Ox King's arm. "Papa? Are you all right?"

The huge man sucked in a breath and held it. When he exhaled, he looked up at Chi Chi. "I'm sorry," he said quietly.

Chi Chi raised an inquisitive eyebrow before what he said hit her. Bulma was knocking on the glass on her end to get Chi Chi's attention. The latter turned to face her. In Vegeta's simple words she said, "He's dead." But not before breaking out into tears.

============================================

Gohan's immediate reaction when he woke was to blast the guy into another dimension. Until he remembered they were IN another dimension, and he recognized the face.

"Hey Gohan." The gruff voice greeted him with tenderness and warmth.

"Hi Mr. Piccolo," Gohan said happily, a grin spreading across his face.

"What are you doing here?" Gohan peered behind his teacher and saw Yamcha, Tien and Chaozu, all with confused looks directed at him.

"Yes, Gohan. What ARE you doing here?" Piccolo asked.

"Well, I was fighting Frieza and..." He trailed off, getting too angry to continue. Piccolo felt his power rise and tried to calm the boy before he did something drastic. Gohan took a few deep breaths and said, "I know he's dead though. My dad killed him for sure."

"How did this happen?" Yamcha was astonished. The Saiyan always put himself in unspeakable danger to protect his son. What had gone wrong this time?

"The Ginyu force was in his way. All of them."

"Those idiots that King Kai made us fight before we left?" Tien asked. "Goku's getting soft." All except Piccolo chuckled, and Gohan threw him a look filled with venom and daggers. Piccolo put a hand on his students's arm to stop him from advancing, and Gohan powered down. "Sorry Gohan," Tien apologized, feeling the kid's power. "I know that one of them is tough, and Goku fighting all of them had to keep him busy." The others nodded in agreement.

"Guys, I know this is rude, but we have to get back and start looking for the dragonballs. You want to get wished back, right Gohan?" Chaozu asked, looking at the little warrior.

"He's right," Piccolo confirmed.

"Yeah. I know my mom will wish me back as soon as she gets her hands on all seven." He smiled a little. "I miss her. But I know that she's gonna baby me for the rest of my life after this." He held out his hand. A little note he'd been writing to take his mind off his father laid in his palm. "I guess now she'll have a chance to get this," he muttered to himself, holding the slip of paper out to Piccolo. "Give this to my mom when you get back? At least then she'll know I'm all right."

"Sure, kid," Piccolo said, rubbing Gohan's head affectionately. Then he remembered the others were there and hardened his expression. "See you in one year then." He allowed himself a small smile and took to the air.

"See ya 'round," Tien said, hovering over the road. He took off after Piccolo, disappearing in a pinpoint of light. Chaozu nodded respectfully at Goku's son and followed his best friend's lead.

"Yeah. Train hard Gohan. I'm sure they'll be proud of you," were Yamcha's parting words as he lifted off to join his companions.

"I will," he promised himself as he waved at his friends. "You just wait and see. Hang on King Kai. I'm coming!"

============================================

Bulma was nearly hysterical when she flicked off the screen. She didn't want Chi Chi to see her cry, although her friend would've been as brainless as her husband to think she wouldn't. Vegeta rolled over, now awake and trying to block the sounds of her sniffles.

Finally, completely agitated, he sat up and snapped, "Will you stop that?" He thought it was her way of getting back for accidentally tripping her after the training match that afternoon. Yet there was no comeback, no insult, not even the sound of her breathing. And that creeped him out more than anything else. Bulma just wasn't quiet, so he rubbed his eyes and stood to see what was wrong with her.

Bulma looked at him, eyes already red-rimmed, before turning around to stare out at the not-so-interesting scenery. Not knowing what to do, he hesitantly tapped her shoulder.

"What do you want," she snapped, but not with the usual acid in her voice.

He searched for something to say. Making conversation wasn't his best quality, and especially with her. "What's wrong with you?" he finally came up with.

"Why do you care?" She didn't turn around, but she opened her eyes, slightly amazed at his actions.

"I don't, but I'll never get any sleep with you doing that." That only made her cry harder. "I told you to stop that!" he ordered sternly.

"You shut up!" she yelled, loud enough to wake the dead. Goku and Krillin must've been more than dead because neither of them so much as twitched. "Just shut up!" she said again, hitting him blindly. "My father just died, and it was probably because someone like YOU killed him!"

Vegeta stared at her like she was stupid. "The only Saiyans left are Kakorrot and me."

But Bulma wasn't listening. "He was like my best friend." Her lower lip trembled as she struggled to hold the rest of her tears back. "I just can't believe he's gone. We invented a lot together. He taught me everything..." She drifted off into her family history, which was more than Vegeta cared to hear. Every little bit he listened to made him feel like he understood her. And everything she told him was bringing her closer to the point where all her dammed up feelings would just break free. The vision of her father on the viewscreen flashed into her mind and she cracked. Flinging her arms around Vegeta, she hugged him and cried into his black tank top.

Vegeta was frozen. He'd never seen anyone act like this, and especially not anyone like Bulma. 'Well, this worked for Kakorrot,' he thought, as he cautiously slipped his arms around her. Going off of Goku's example, he slowly rocked her until she quieted down. They'd been sitting like that so long that his leg was starting to cramp. Not knowing what else to do, he picked her up and carried her to her room. 'At least now I can get some sleep,' he thought, shouldering open the door.

Somehow Bulma kept a death grip on him while she slept, which he found out when she refused to drop onto the bed. Frustrated and not wanting to break her arms off, he laid beside her until she rolled over. He quickly leapt off and shook himself. That woman's presence was bad enough, but to actually be like a sort of of prisoner to her was downright unbearable. He scowled at her. She could agitate him even when she was asleep.

Yawning, he made his way back out to his spot on the floor. But he couldn't sleep. 'Damn that woman,' he thought, tossing and turning. He was wondering what was going on, and wondering even more why he cared.

============================================

"What happened to him Papa?" Chi Chi demanded as Bulma broke the connection. When he refused to look up, she punched him in the arm. "What happened?"

The Ox King lazily avoided his daughter's kick to the shin. "Calm down and I'll tell you." He waited until her rampage had subsided before continuing. "I think he was attacked. That was no experiment gone wrong. Even he couldn't make anything that would hurt him like that. Maybe Bulma, but not him. Anyway, we were in the ambulance and he was scared to death, looking past me at the ceiling. Like he saw something. Whatever he saw, or thought he saw, scared him so much it gave him a heart attack. Right there in the ambulance. We couldn't help him." He closed his eyes and shook his head. "I felt so helpless, like that time that you got kidnapped. There was nothing I could do, and I hated myself for it. I feel the same way now."

Chi Chi tightened her fists. "I should've been there."

The Ox King was tired. He reached for her hand, the small fingers laying in his gigantic palm. "There was nothing you could've done either Chi Chi. We only need one person feeling that way now."

"What I can't figure out is why," Chi Chi said as she sat down. "Why him? I mean, most people thought he was crazy, not dangerous."

"That's been bothering me too." The Ox King massaged his temples. "I have no idea. This is all giving me a wicked headache."

Chi Chi put her head on the table. "I need a drink."

"I know the feeling. Somehow I don't think this will make us feel any better."

Chi Chi groaned. "No kidding. I think I'm going to sleep this off. Wake me up around dinner if you're hungry. I doubt I'm going to eat tonight." She sprawled out on her bed and looked at the picture of the gang. The last thing she did was turn it over before she fell asleep.

============================================

Sleepy-eyed, Gohan rolled over, and almost off of Snake Way. He caught the sharp edge, ignoring the pain until he could get himself back on. "Wow! That's really sharp!" He shook his injured hand. "That hurt!" Nursing the slash on his palm, Gohan walked by a woman on the road, not noticing there was anyone else near him until he tripped over a fallen grocery bag.

"Hello," a voice said gently. It was a young woman, strikingly pretty, and carrying what looked like a ton of full brown paper bags.

"Hi." He picked up the bag carefully, as not to spill more of its contents. He caught another one that was slipping and asked, "Would you like some help?"

"Oh, what a sweet little man," she said, impressed at his manners. "Yes, please. Right this way." She saw something familiar about him as well, but she didn't look too closely.

He dropped the shopping bags on the counter and placed the jars where told to. The blond wiped her forehead with her arm.

"Thank you. Now, what is such a sweet young man like you doing here?" She leaned on the counter and looked down on him.

"I was helping my dad fight. I guess I wasn't strong enough, so I came to train with King Kai." His eyes were downcast and he bent his head. "I guess I got a little sidetracked."

She smiled. That simple innocence was so charming. "Well, I'm glad you did." She rustled his hair. "Now, as a thank you, I'm going to make you something to eat. Would you like that?"

Gohan looked up happily. "Yes please!"

She tapped him lightly on the back and guided him out the door. "Then get out of my kitchen," she said playfully. "I'll be there in a minute." As she set to work, she thought, 'Since he's such a sweet little kid, I won't put any sleepy grass in his food. Princess Snake will understand.'

'What's wrong with this place?' Gohan thought as he kicked his feet under the table. 'She seems really nice.' He grinned as the plates were brought out. "This place is beautiful," he complimented as he eyed the food.

She laughed as she placed the platters on the table. "I think you'll appreciate it better on a full stomach."

"I appreciate everything better on a full stomach." He went to reach for it, but thought better and sat back.

"What's wrong?"

"Aren't you going to eat?"

"No, that's okay." She was still puzzled why that stopped him. "You go ahead."

He still waited. "Mom told me it wasn't polite to eat until a lady sat down."

It took her a moment to realize he was looking past her. "Princess Snake?"

The redhead princess smiled at them. "Yes. I was asked if I wanted to join our guest for lunch." Peering behind the woman, the blond assistant could see her brunette friend. "I hope that's okay with you." She smiled at the little warrior.

Gohan smiled back shyly. "Of course."

The blond pulled the princess aside. "There's no sleepy grass in his food. He helped me with the bags."

Princess Snake nodded and sat down. "Go ahead." Studying the boy, she, like everyone else that had met Goku, noticed he was remarkably like someone she'd met before.

Gohan started an easy conversation. "How are you?" His fork coninued to slip through his fingers. "Don't you ever get lonely out here?"

Snake looked at him. "Haven't you ever used a fork before?" she asked as the utensil fell to the floor.

"Of course," Gohan said, ducking under the table to retrive the piece of metal. "But the last time I did was two years ago." He crawled further under to find it, almost banging his head on the underside. When he got back in his chair, after finishing a quick explantion of his mother, he dropped the fork on his plate and asked, "Do you mind if I just use my hands? This just isn't working."

"Sure. Do you want me to get you something to wash your hands in?"

"Yes please." Gohan didn't mind eating with his hands a bit grungy, after all, he DID live with Piccolo for a year, but he didn't want to appear a rude guest.

Snake was shocked at his table manners. For such a young kid, she was sure he would be a rude, naive boy that had no idea what politeness was. As he rinsed his hands in the small tub she'd had a servant bring, she asked, "So, what's your name?"

"Gohan." He thanked the servant and dried his hands, turning to his food once more. "What's your name?"

"I am Princess Snake."

Gohan smiled. "I've heard a lot about you. Boy were they wrong. Dad was even wrong. You're a nice lady."

"Who was your dad?"

"Goku." Gohan scooped up a piece of meat and munched on it, waiting for her reaction.

"Goku..." Then the face came into her mind, the same face that sat before her now. He was so much like his father it was uncanny, but his manners were so much better. Everything else from his face to the way he held himself screamed he was indeed his father's son. Snake scowled as she pulled the brunette over. "Put some sleepy grass in his juice. I want to see something."

"Right away," the assistant whispered back.

"Are you thirsty little one?" Princess Snake asked sweetly. Just as she had surmised, he didn't refuse. Instead, he downed the whole glass in steady gulps. She pulled the dark-haired woman back to her. "I thought I told you to put some sleepy grass in there!" she hissed.

"I did! A whole jar! And the improved kind too! There was enough to knock out an elephant for two days in there! And he just drank it like it was regular apple juice! What IS it with this family?"

Snake knew just what she meant. "Fine. See if you can sneak some into his food then." Turning back to Gohan, she smiled. "Sorry about that. How was the juice? It was a special recipe."

Gohan looked at his empty glass. "It was good. I've never had anything like it before. May I have some more?" He smiled slightly.

"How about some candy first?" She held out a jar of pure sleepy grass. 'If this doesn't put him to sleep, I don't know what will.'

"Thank you." He accepted as much as he dared. He grinned his "two-thumbs-up" smile to tell her how much he appreciated it.

Snake was shocked speechless. Her assistants were unmoving as they watched the boy eat the grass. Then Snake remembered something about all little kids. She almost slapped herself on the forehead. 'Of course! All he needs is a bath! That's what makes children go to sleep! A bath!'

She leaned on the table. "Would you like a bath Gohan?" she asked sweetly.

"Yeah." He looed down at his ragged clothing. "I guess I am kinda smelly. Could I?"

"Follow me." In the time it took her to blink, he was by her side. "This way," she said lightly, but tried to keep an eye on him from that moment on.

Just as she'd done with Goku, she spied on him from around the corner, covering her ears when he sang. Without the shower. She wondered to herself, "How can he stand that? He can't be more than ten, and he's making it seem like it's only lukewarm." Indeed, Gohan was happily scrubbing away in the five thousand degree hot srping. To him it felt a little warmer than a bath Chi Chi had drawn for him.

"Hmm. That felt good," Gohan said, finding new clothes on a rock. "Hey. These aren't mine." They reminded him of the outfit he wore before training with Piccolo.

"Yours were put in the wash, but..."

Gohan looked down at the yellow shirt and slipped it over his head. "Better this than nothing." As he got used to them, he noticed they were heavier, like his dad's and Piccolo's. "And they're weighted?"

"Yes. If you're going to train with King Kai you'll need them." Of course, she didn't expect him to make it that far either.

He looked behind him, half expecting to see a tail again. "These aren't so bad once you get used to them." He grinned. "Thanks."

Snake rolled her eyes. "Come on back in." He yawned as they walked through the door. Snake grinned as he collaped on the chair, fast asleep. "Like clockwork." The burnette held up the Dream Mirror. "Oh, yes!" She was eager to see what he dreamed about.

While Gohan snored contently, Princess Snake peered into his dreams. It interupted a sweet dream about Gohan giggling and rolling while watching Chi Chi chase Goku with the tradtional rolling pin.

'He gave me up for that?' Snake wondered as she watched the dream change. She was horrified. Had she not been only watiching this through Gohan's eyes she was sure she would've been sick.

She could see his tiny hands beating on a stained tail that was forever tightening around his throat. She had to shield her eyes from the brilliant light produced from energy beams. The shots rocked and blurred the kid's vision as the his own ki balsts bounced off the short alien and went through his stomach and arms, one disentegrating his hand. Out of the corner of his eyes, Snake could see Goku, fighting off four figures, trying to get to his son.

Ingnoring the faint feeling, Gohan was shooting at the infamous Ginyu force, trying to direct their attenion away from Goku. For a moment it worked, until Goku crashed two heads together. Goku's hair was flickering gold as Gohan was repeatedly pounded by fireballs and such from the figure Snake had recognized as Frieza. As he fought, Goku had a murderous look on his face, one that scared Gohan so much that he was more afraid of his father than Frieza.

Snake winced when the tail threw him up in the air and pumelled him again until he fell to the ground. Gohan's vision went red as he glared hatefully at Frieza. He coughed up blood on his hand, eyes slding to a noise at his side. He sat up just enough to make out Dende shooting at Frieza. The tiny alien grinned wickedly at Gohan as he directed his attention, along with a few blasts, at the Namek boy. Gohan pulled Frieza's tall, sending him off balance, but if Krillin hadn't grabbed Dende when he had, it would've been over for Gohan's little green friend.

"I think you should be more worried about yourself, kid," Frieza said, again grabbing Gohan around the throat. This time the boy's hands didn't bother to claw at the bleeding flesh.

Gohan spit out the blood in his mouth. He tried to say something, but he could hardly breathe let alone speak. Frieza dropped the youngster on the ground, still grinning and confident.

"Really now. I thought you were beyond all insults. I suppose all Saiyans are the same. Look at Vegeta. His father was so defiant, and now they're both dead. Talk if you want." He dropped Gohan again and put a foot on his chest.

Gohan tried to catch his breath before he glared up at Frieza. "My dad will kill you," he said, barely audible for Frieza OR Snake to hear. "I know he will."

Frieza had something like Vegeta's trademark smirk on his face. "We'll see, little one." He picked Gohan up by the rags of his shirt. "Even though you are a filthy monkey, I do wonder where you got that power. You should join me. With me by your side, you would be unstoppable. Much more valuable than Vegeta."

"Forget it," Gohan spat, the liquid tinted red. He stared Frieza in the eye. "I'll never be on your side. Bastard."

Frieza's next blast was redirected by another. Gohan opened his eyes, and Snake could feel his hopefulness, only to be replaced by fear as he saw Vegeta standing there.

"But... how?" Vegeta dropped Gohan and glared at Vegeta with an intensity to match the Saiyan's.

"Don't worry about it," Vegeta said, getting rid of the last member of the Ginyu force. Goku's hair was a shining gold and his now blue eyes were narrowed to slits. Vegeta walked toward Frieza. "This is between us now."

Frieza almost laughed. "Please Vegeta. We both know it's useless."

Gohan was mustering the last of his strength and fired at Frieza one more time. He didn't even have the energy to sit up anymore. Krillin was still holding Dende back, as much as he wanted to help.

Frieza grabbed Gohan and shook him roughly. "I've had enough of you, you little punk!" He threw Gohan up in the air and prepared his tail to strike.

The last thing Gohan remembered was his father's power rising so high he thought he would explode, then Frieza's tail smashed through his chest and all was black.

Princess Snake let the enchanted mirror drop. She closed her eyes in both shock and sickness. Even though she could ask the mirror if the dream was actually a memory, she felt, for the first time in centuries, something in her heart telling her it was real.

"Ahh!" Gohan woke with a start, falling out of his chair. A ball of energy had forned in his hand while he'd been dreaming, and now he patted himself to make sure he was whole. Then he noticed the warmth in his hands and clenched his fist to get rid of it. "Sorry," he muttered as he rubbed the lint off his clothes. "Bad dream." He kept his eyes to the ground.

Snake hugged him lightly. "You poor dear," she said. He didn't know she could tell him exactly what that bad dream was about, but it was comforting nonetheless. "That must've been awful."

"Well, I'm thankful for the food and rest, but I really should be going now," Gohan said politely.

"I have an idea. Would you like a ride halfway there? Then you'll only have a quater of the road to go."

"Gee, thanks!"

Gohan enjoyed the ride. The princess proved herself to be actually very funny and kind-hearted. "Now, remember to pay us a visit on the way back." She straightened his shirt hem and rubbed his hair.

"I promise," Gohan agreed, tucking the bag of cookies under his shirt. "I like your food. It's even better than my mom's." He looked sad for a moment, then said, "I better not tell her that though. I'll just get sent back here again."

Snake only smiled at him and hugged Gohan tighter. "As much as I would like to see you again, I don't think that's such a good idea."

Gohan grinned as his newfound pals drove off. "I have such great friends," he told himself. "I just hope I can get back to the ones on Earth."

============================================

Krillin awoke to the lack of being dragged into the waking world by Bulma. He looked around, but then his eyes focused on the clock. "Goku! Hey Goku! Get up!"

Goku only groaned and rolled over on his stomach. "Not now dear. Still a few more hours..." He drifted off and yawned.

Krillin shook his head and shoved his snoring best friend away. He caught a glance of Vegeta sitting in the pilot's seat, literally staring off into space. He didn't turn around at Krillin's commotion, and didn't even look slightly annoyed. Krillin pinched himself a few times to make sure he wasn't still asleep.

Krillin went to stand behind Vegeta, and, mustering all the courage he could, tapped the older man on the shoulder. When Vegeta didn't do so much as growl at him, Krillin backed away.

"Okay, who are you and what did you do with my friends?"

Vegeta gave him a cursory glance. "What ARE you talking about?"

Krillin pressed himself against the wall. "What? No trying to kill me? No calling me names?"

Goku yawned and sat up. Krillin pounced on him and hid behind the Saiyan's bulk, using him as a shield. "What is it? Where's Bulma?" He rubbed his eyes and squinted at the clock, asking the question again with more urgency.

"Goku. Vegeta's being... being... NICE! And Bulma hasn't come out to wake us up yet. I don't get it. This is almost scary."

Vegeta rolled his eyes. "She's in her room. What's so bad about that? We at least have peace and quiet." He sounded like normal until he blew it. "Why don't you just leave her alone for a while?"

Krillin's jaw dropped to the floor. Goku was now fully awake. "I see what you mean," he said to his shorter friend. "I think I better check on Bulma. Just in case."

Krillin snuck another glance at Vegeta, then scurried after Goku. "I'm coming with you!"

Vegeta watched the people from Earth disappear from sight. He sighed and sat back, trying to figure out his emotions, something that was almost impossible for him. 'I'll have to ask Kakorrot,' Vegeta thought. 'I hate to do it, but if there's anyone that can tell me what's going on, he can.'

"Bulma?" Goku knocked as lightly as he could on the door and it opened a crack. "Are you awake?"

Krillin shrugged when Goku looked questioningly at him. He pushed the door open enough for him to fit through, preparing to dodge any flying objects. When there was none, he forced it all the way open and looked around. Goku was gone, probably expecting something to come hurtling at him.

"Hey, Goku," Krillin said quietly, moving toward the sleeping figure on the bed. "I think something's wrong. This isn't right."

"Huh?" Goku's head appeared out of nowhere. Then he noticed something Krillin hadn't been able to see in the half-darkness. Bulma's cheeks were puffy and her eyes were red, even closed. She looked like she'd been up crying most of the night.

He stepped into the room, curious. Once he was close enough, he could see the hair glued to her face was held there by tear tracks. "Bulma?" he asked again, hesitantly this time. There was a weird feeling in the air between what happened with Vegeta and this.

"What do you think you're doing?" Vegeta demanded menacingly, grabbing Goku by the neck of his shirt and lifting him off the ground.

"I WAS checking on my friend." Goku grasped for Vegeta's hand and finally got a hold on it. "Is that okay with you or do I have to file paperwork?" He powered up enough to get Vegeta to release his grip.

Vegeta dropped him. "I said to let her sleep. I don't know about you Kakorrot, but I don't want to have to put up with her shit today. If she wants to stay in bed, I say let her."

At Vegeta's back, Krillin said, "Well, at least he's not totally out of it."

Vegeta tensed, but decided he would work Krillin over later. After all, Goku wouldn't help him if he killed the little idiot. 'Be grateful shrimp,' Vegeta thought. 'You won't be so lucky after I get what I need.'

Goku looked at Krillin. "He's right in a way. If she's sick we should let her sleep. I think I should call Chi Chi. She's the nurse around here."

"I'll come if you talk."

Goku grinned. "I swear Krillin. You're as bad as Yamcha used to be. Stop being afraid of women."

"Well, I HAVE seen you braver than when you talked to Chi Chi a few days ago."

"I think I have a right considering the first girl I ever met was Bulma. Besides, I remember Master Roshi had to tell Chi Chi that I was dead and Gohan was gone. You've never actually had the guts to stand up to her."

"Good point," Krillin muttered. "But I'm just a lowly Earthling. You big bad Saiyans are too much for me."

"Give either of them a tail and you'd never know the difference," Goku said with yet another smile. "I think I will call. She can't give us any less information."

Krillin saw Vegeta by the viewscreen and backed away. "I think I'll keep an eye on Bulma."

Goku thought, 'Vegeta, hear that? You're the lesser of two evils. Poor guy.' Vegeta glared at Goku's exhausted smile, but wordlessly turned back to watch the stars go by.

============================================

Bulma opened her eyes and groggily pushed the hair out of her face. She rolled off the bed and somehow stumbled into the bathroom, physically sick from the news. It still didn't seem real, even though her stomach combined with her imagination made it all too clear. She'd forgotten what she'd eaten yesterday, though she was reminded a few minutes after the thought of food. She felt strangely disjointed from her body, like she didn't belong in it.

'I wonder if this is what it feels like to be drunk,' she thought as she reached for her toothbrush. 'Man, Dad. Am I feeling like shit because you're dead, or am I feeling like shit because you're dead?'

"Huh?" Bulma looked up through half-hooded eyes to see Krillin, then realized she'd spoken the last part out loud. He picked her up to carry her to bed. "You look horrible. What happened to you?"

"I feel like shit," Bulma said plainly, feeling bumps and jolts that weren't there. She felt numb, but also somehow extremely aware.

"Really." Krillin set her down and shoved the blankets back over her. "I couldn't tell by just looking at you."

Bulma wasn't really listening, but for a second Krillin reminded her of Vegeta. Short, annoying, and either totally self-assured and loud, or silent when he was wrong. She yawned and rolled over.

"Hey, Bulma? Who were you talking to earlier?" Krillin sat on the edge of the bed to talk to her.

She had to think for a minute. "When?" she finally asked, not able to remember properly.

"Something about felling like shit because someone's dead. I think it went something like that."

"Hmmm," Bulma groaned as she forced herself to roll back over and look at him. "Yamcha, you dolt. We had this bond thing, and I could feel it when he died, so either that's making me feel like I haven't quite made it back from hell or just the fact that he's dead. Satisfied?" Krillin nodded. "Good. Now get the hell out of here before I actually get out of bed and kill you."

Krillin jumped away. "She's not a morning person," Goku said from behind him. "You should remember that sometime. It could be the deciding factor between life and death."

"Thanks. I'll do my best," Krillin said sarcastically. "But something's not right. Yeah, she threatened me, but it didn't sound like she would actually do it."

"Really?" Bulma had Krillin around the neck in an instant. "Don't be so sure." She shoved Krillin out of her way. Goku wisely stepped aside before she could hurt him. The boys winced when Bulma took Vegeta by the hair and the back of his shirt and threw him against the far wall. "For the last time: stay away from the controls!"

Vegeta wasn't hurt, but her strength shocked him. So much that the only thing he did was mutter under his breath. They couldn't make out exactly what he said, but the phrase "dirty little woman" DID float their way. Bulma gave him a sharp kick in a place she shouldn't have, actually hurting the Saiyan.

"I won't have that kind of talk on MY ship, and especially about me!" Bulma resumed piloting the ship.

"She's a witch," Vegeta said as he stumbled past the Earth men. "A devil." Goku tried not laugh.

Krillin had to suppress a chuckle as the proud Saiyan prince limped past them. "Guess Saiyans aren't any different from any guys on Earth."

Goku smiled. "You should've figured that out a long time ago. I'm a Saiyan."

"Who knew that two years ago?"

"Are you two going to stand there and do nothing or am I going to have to out you to work?" Bulma demanded icily from the driver's seat.

"We're going," they said in unison, ducking into the training room.

"I take it back. I'd rather have her scaring me," Krillin said under his breath. "I think I like having her scare me. This is pathetic. She's usually not this bad. What's going on?"

Goku put a hand to Krillin's mouth and guided him to the door. Vegeta was sitting across from Bulma, talking. He sounded calm and reasonable, not two words they'd pick off the top of their heads to describe Vegeta. Bulma looked like a nervous wreck.

"They'll find out eventually," Vegeta was saying. "Why not just tell them? Or Kakorrot at least?"

"I can't. I can't even think about it." Bulma's words were broken by gasps and hiccups.

Vegeta crossed the room and sat next to her, draping an oh-so-casual arm around her shoulders. "You should. I know Kakorrot can help you. Even that little cueball can if you let him." He hugged her closer, trying to comfort her. "Do you want me to?"

Bulma closed her eyes. "Yes."

Vegeta held her like that for a few minutes. "When they come back out, I'll tell them, okay?" Bulma nodded and relaxed into his arms. She needed all the comfort she could get, even if it WAS from Vegeta.