Blah Blah! I'm no fun! Pay no attention to me....

::helps underwear gnomes steal all your undies!::

Muahahahaha! oO Wait, where's Kenny?

::sees Kenny under your dresser::

You bastards! You killed Kenny!

CHAPTER 16

Krillin opened up his door and saw Goku standing there. His smile disappeared when he saw his daughter's limp body in Goku's hands. Krillin panicked. What had happened? What was going on? Who did this to his little girl? Did Goku know? Taking a deep breath, Krillin forced himself stop the questions. He'd ask the most important questions first.

"Goku-san, what happened and who did this?"

"Well," Goku said with a sheepish smile, "It happened five minutes ago and I did it."

"NANI!?!" 18 cried, jumping up off the couch.

"WAIT!!" Goku yelled, holding up his hands, "She was...she had...well, it's complicated."

"Well, you baka, you better start explaining." 18 snapped.

"18-san..." Krillin whined.

"NOW!" 18 screamed.

"Okay, okay. Well, I was going past the house and..."

"House? What house?" 18 questioned, looking quiet annoyed.

"Oh, yes. My house. Anyway..."

"What were they doing at your house?" Krillin asked.

"I don't know. ANYWAY, I found Vegeta-san and 17-san beating up Ashita-san..."

"He wouldn't do that." 18 said with a snort.

"Well, he did. She's at Dende-san's now. I found out that Tayhei-san and Marron-san were behind this, but that's all I know."

Krillin felt the blow of the words. It hurt him deeply to know that his daughter had even done anything this remote. 18 was screaming and slapping Goku and Goku apologized when he held 18 back. Her screams were ringing in his ears, but they died away and she sank to the floor sobbing. Krillin felt himself guided to the couch. He soon felt his wife beside him, holding onto him and crying in his shirt.

He didn't know what to say. What could he have said to make her feel better? He felt like his daughter had ripped out his heart. Or spit in his face. The feeling was so horrible, he wanted to curl up in a ball and die. He squeezed 18 tighter to him and prayed that the family would survive. That Marron wouldn't become another 17. He kissed 18's forehead and patted her back, hoping to calm her so they could wake Marron. But, what would they say to her? What could they say to her?

Krillin let out a breath that he realized he'd been holding. Well, thought Krillin. I won't get anywhere by just sitting here. I have to wake her up, I have to do something. Krillin shook his head, as if to shake away any loose thoughts. He stood up, 18 seemed to be controlling herself enough to let go of him, and went over to the couch Marron was sitting on. He shook her gently, hoping to have the courage to say what he had to.

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Katoria felt a soft shaking and woke up. Her eyes fluttered open and she found Trunks sitting over her. Her mind swam with questions, but after she got a look around the room, she figured she was safe. She hugged Trunks close to her, before he could utter a word. She held onto him tightly. Finally, she thought, I'm out of Veter's reach.

Trunks pushed her away and looked her in the eyes. He seemed to be searching for something in her eyes. Courage? What was he thinking? What was he going to do? Were they still in danger? Kat silenced her thoughts and focused on Trunks. He looked panicked and scared. Okay, thought Katoria, just calm down.

"Trunks-chan, what's wrong?" she managed.

"Well," Trunks said, trying to swallow a lump in the back of his throat, "It's about Ashita-san. She's....well, she's....oh, Kat-chan she's hurt really bad. Dende-san healed her, but she won't wake up."

Kat's breath caught in her throat. She couldn't seem to breathe, as if her lungs had just stopped working. She tried to take a breath, but couldn't clear her racing mind. She felt herself getting light headed and tears sprung to her eyes. What was going on? Everything was supposed to be perfect, now. She finally took a breath, but soon began to hyperventilate. She felt strong arms wrap around her and she pounded on Trunks' chest.

"It's not fair! Not FAIR!" Kat screamed into Trunks' shirt.

He held her close as she cried and screamed. He tried to comfort her, but knew he wouldn't be able to. Trunks kissed her forehead, hopping to settle her down. Trunks rocked back and forth, holding the crying Katoria in his arms. Finally, she got control of herself, but her cheeks were blotchy and her eyes red. He kissed her fingers and helped her up.

"Come on, let's go see Ashita-san."

Katoria got up shakily, not seeming to be fully there. Her little sister, well little by a minute and a half, was in trouble. How could she have not known this was coming. She knew who had attacked Ashita without having to ask Trunks. Vegeta was the only person she could think of. Her argument with Vegeta had cost her sister's life....no almost cost her sister's life. But almost was still to close.

Katoria found herself landing on the lookout. She didn't even remember flying anywhere, but knew that was the only way Trunks had gotten them up there. Mr. Popo came racing out to greet them. He led them into a room in the far back, quiet and dark.

Beside Ashita's bed was Goten, kneeling by her side, watching her intensely. Katoria cried out when she saw her sister. Although Dende had tried his hardest, she still had bruises on her body. Dende stood up. Katoria hadn't even seen him in the corner. Dende had a sad look on his face.

"I tried to help her, but I got so tired. I'm so sorry, I won't be able to help her for another hour. Popo-san checked with Corinth-san, but Corinth-san had no senzu beans. I'm so sorry."

"Senzu beans?" Kat asked, thoroughly confused. "What's a senzu bean? Are they magical?"

"Well," Trunks thought, trying to explain it, "They heal most wounds."

"Why don't they have any? Would they be able to help my sister?"

"I don't know, and yes."

"Well then, I'll look for as many as I need."

"You'd need one, and they have to be grown by Corinth-san."

"What?" Kat said, getting frustrated, "So you mean I can't help her? I've just gotta sit here and watch her in pain? NO! I know her only chance. It's my serum. It'll cure almost anything."

"Where's it at?" Trunks asked, raising an eyebrow.

"That's the...umm...problem. It's in my lab."

"Well, just make up another one."

"That's a problem too," Kat said, rubbing the back of her head, "You see, I have chemicals there that aren't from Earth. They are from a distant world. Have you ever heard of Uzukata?"

"No....why?"

"Well, that's where you can find them. They're in a certain plant. Veter-san collected them before his home planet was destroyed."

"You mean, that's Veter-san's home world?"

"Yes."

"Great." Trunks said with a moan.

"So, we have to go back. Besides, I'll never feel safe with Veter-san still around..."

Trunks sighed. Here we go again, Trunks thought. We'll never be free of Veter, and Kat and Ashi will never be fully safe. Why couldn't he be as easy to defeat as Buu? It wasn't fair. Well, he thought, he'd better get Goten to come. They could fuse and go SS 3, that way, they'd be able to defeat him.

"Come on Goten-kun, we gotta go kill Veter-san." Trunks whispered to Goten.

"No, I'm not leaving her side."

"Are you crazy? If you don't she'll die."

"I don't care." Goten said, tears forming in his eyes.

"Fine, I don't need you. I'll just get your Otoosan."

Goten looked at Trunks, but then turned around and watched Ashita. Trunks let out an angry breath and Kat touched his arm. Her eyes pleaded for them to leave and he sighed. Now he knew why his father was frustrated about women. They had too much control over you. Trunks sure felt sorry for Goku. What a hastle that ChiChi must be. Well, he decided now was the best time to get Goku. Maybe he and Goku could fuse. Maybe...

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Goku looked around for Bulma. She wasn't at the Capsule Corp. building, he had searched the kitchen thoroughly. He wondered if she was somewhere with Vegeta, but Goku highly doubted that. Goku had an idea. Vegeta beat up Ashita, so Bulma is with Ashita. Vegeta had disappeared (again). It was earlier today when he dropped off Marron and Tayhei. He had gotten there and only 17 was to be found.

Goku sighed. There was no way he would ever be able to find Bulma for sure if he didn't focus. Goku gave up on finding her by using her ki, it took time, and that was something he didn't have. It was faster just to use Instant Transmission. He hoped she was at the lookout. That was the only other place she could be. Besides, he knew Vegeta would probably show up there. Goku wondered what was up with Vegeta's behavior. He'd never acted this way before....what made him so different all of a sudden.

Goku wondered if it had anything to do with Vegeta losing. Maybe the knowledge that there were still more powerful beings than him triggered the hatred. Vegeta must've been restless, and since he couldn't take it out on Veter, he took it out on Katoria. He was surprised she had lived through today. Goku decided he'd spent enough time thinking things through, he was getting tired already. Goku decided to leave the reasoning to Bulma, she would know what's going on.

Goku used Instant Transmission, tiring from the strain on his mind and body, and arrived at the lookout. He could see Bulma's capsule car parked on the lookout. She hadn't even bothered putting it in it's capsule. Goku heard a door slam, and Trunks stalked out, his jaw set. Bulma must've given him a rough time, thought Goku.

Goku smiled as he saw Katoria struggle with the heavy doors. She barely slipped through and ran over to Trunks. He hadn't even noticed Goku standing five feet from him and Goku waved and called out to both of them. Trunks stopped dead in his tracks and smiled. He ran over to Goku, Katoria struggling to catch up.

"Hey Goku-san!" Trunks cried out.

"What's wrong Trunks-kun?"

"Well, I was wondering if you'd help me."

"With what?"

"Getting my chemicals." Katoria said, stepping forward.

"Look, I know we don't know each other too well, but my sister is in critical condition. Without my serum, she will die by morning at the latest. That's a guarantee."

"Yeah, and Goten-kun won't come." Trunks said with a sour look on his face.

"What's wrong with him." Goku asked.

"He won't leave her side. He's like a zombie, so we need you. I was hoping we could fuse. Then, we would be able to defeat Veter-san. I can only reach SS2, though."

"That's okay, we'll still be very powerful. And we'll still be able to reach SS3, once fused."

"Then it's settled." Katoria said, a smile forming on her lips, "Let's get the hell out of here."

Goku was just about to leave, when he remembered he had to talk to Bulma. He told the two to wait for him. He ran down the hallway and into the doors, searching for Bulma. Dende was roaming the halls and Goku asked for directions to Ashita, and took off in the direction Dende pointed in. He hoped that Bulma brought Bra.