You all know that Scratch is Dr. Brief's black cat, right? Good.

Chapter 11 - The Cautious

Chi Chi remembered what Piccolo said about feeling an evil presence. Could Piccolo have been talking about Olly? I mean, I think that Olly seems like the type who bears grudges, but that doesn't mean he's a power hungry evil monster who's trying to take over the world.

"Why do you insist on working in my restaurant?" asked Chi Chi

"Why do you insist on refusing to employ me?" Olly shot back.

"Don't I make it clear that I don't want you?"

"Don't I make it clear that I want to work here?"

"Why don't you just put down your gun and walk out peacefully before any trouble starts?"

"Why don't you pick up a pen and employ me before I start making trouble?"

Chi Chi realised that their talk was going nowhere. He does have a point. The only reason I didn't employ Olly was because he used to be a criminal. And from the looks of it, he still is one. I guess I am being a little hard on him, but still, I just don't trust him. Luckily for Chi Chi Piccolo walked in at that moment. Olly turned around to face Piccolo, Their eyes met, and for a second they were uncertain of one another. Olly snapped out of his trance and looked angrily back at Chi Chi and said, "I will come back and get you for this!" before he ran off.

Piccolo continued walking towards Chi Chi and said, "so I was right. I think you have reason to be very careful of Olly. When I looked at him I felt different and sensed a deep power. I don't know if that's a good thing or bad, but he did seem to leave in a hurry after I arrived."

"I guess you're right. I'll try to watch out for him."

"One other thing before I leave."

"You always seem to leave as soon as you get here, you know."

"I know. It's a natural problem of mine, and I don't plan to fix it anytime soon. Now, as I was saying, try to keep someone with you at all times, like Goku or Goten. I have a feeling you'll need one of them the next time Olly comes back."

Chi Chi nodded and Piccolo left, again. Everyone at the restaurant calmed down and slowly got back into their seats and started eating again. Chi Chi got back to cooking again, and a lot of things were running through her mind. I should listen to Piccolo's advice, shouldn't I? Goku could stay near me since he doesn't do much except fish, and so could Goten.

Chi Chi took Piccolo's advice, and Goku and Goten were always around. They would be hanging about, eating in the restaurant or fishing, and Chi Chi felt secure. Life was good, and remained that way for a few months, until one day an old friend paid the Z fighters an unexpected visit.

* * *

Vegeta was very happy after selling his former planet's name. Now the first thing I'm going to do with the money is expand my gravity room. Then I'll use the leftover money to improve the equipment so I can train under five hundred times normal Earth gravity. He woke himself from his daydream and went to find Bulma's father. Vegeta walked up to Dr. Briefs and said, "I have five thousand and one zeni to spend to upgrade my gravity room." Dr. Briefs looked up at Vegeta and asked, "OK then, what do you want to be improved?" Scratch came along and jumped up onto Dr. Briefs' lap. He settled down and Dr. Briefs started to scratch Scratch behind the ears.

"I want the gravity room to be able to simulate at least five hundred times normal Earth gravity, and I also want the room expanded."

"How big to you want it to be?"

"As big as you can get it with the leftover money."

"Is that all?"

"Yes."

"Then it should be ready in a week or so." Vegeta smiled and as he walked away he thought, Now I'll finally be able to beat you, Kakarot.

A week passed and Vegeta was eager to start training in the gravity room again. He walked into the room calmly, like a prince, dignified and with self-restraint, but once he was in, he slammed the door behind him and ran to the control panel (A bit out of character, but oh well...).

Vegeta was enjoying his training when there was a knock on the door, "Who is it?" growled Vegeta angrily, upset that his training had to be interrupted.

"It's me, Trunks. I was just wondering if I could train with you for a little while cause I'm bored."

"Are you sure you can withstand five hundred times normal gravity?"

"I've never tried, but I think I can do it."

"Well then come on in and have a go."

Trunks opened the door and happily skipped in, but after a few steps he fell to the floor with a thud. He groaned and tried to get back up without much success.

"Man dad, how on earth can you do this?"

Suddenly, a piercing shriek echoed throughout the Capsule Corp, Bulma's scream. At the same time, Vegeta sensed another power level that was surprisingly familiar. In fact, it felt like it was partly like his own ki. Then it hit him: Bulma had only screamed like that once before, and that was about ten days before the Cell games, when she came storming in to see if Mirai Trunks was alright.

Vegeta rushed out of the gravity room, leaving Trunks struggling to get up. "Uh, dad, I think I need some help here..." He ignored Trunks and headed outside and saw Bulma frozen in front of a man who looked to be about his late twenties. He had blue eyes, lavender hair and was wearing a Capsule Corp jacket. Behind him was a machine with the word "hope" painted on it.

"Hey there. Bet you weren't expecting me," the man said.

"Trunks? Is that you?"