3. Stranger in the shadows

Kurisutopha and Luna were crouched behind a planter, awaiting the four energy sources to show themselves. Kurisutopha recognised most of them, but felt sure that they were dead. Luna, despite her best pleas, was crouched in a little alcove that Kuris had made when his first detected the powers. She still didn't understand why she was there, but had no choice so was trying to make the best of it.

Kurisutopha had a fixed stare at the camp, waiting for their unexpected visitors to arrive. He could sense one extremely close. He looked down at Luna, only to see a look of fear on her face. She seemed to be staring at something behind him. Acknowledging this, quicker than she could see, he spun round and fire off an energy Dan. The person standing behind him was hit dead on in the face and fell back. He fell to the floor but instantly leapt up and charged at Kurisutopha.

Jiani drew his sword and swung at Kurisutopha. Kuris' dodged and Jiani cut the planter in half, then followed him. Firipipu instantly leapt in-front of him and said

"Jiani, stop! It's my friend."

Jiani halted, but said "But he blasted me. That fuckin' hurt ya know."

Firipipu ignored his complaints and turned towards Kurisutopha, who was still in disbelief at what he was seeing. A massive grin swept across Firipipu's face as he ran forward yelling

"KURIS', I'M ALIVE AGAIN" Just as he was about to hug him Kurisutopha held the palm of his hand out and Firipipu ran straight into it. That's when Kurisutopha realised that this was real and said

"Yea, it's you. Only Pip is stupid enough to run into my hand like that. Nice to see you again."

Gohan and Pi-ta had arrived by now and were helping an unconscious Luna up off the floor. She had been hit on the head by a falling piece of planter thanks to Jiani. Pi-ta slung her over his shoulder and carried her over to a nearby bed. He laid her on it and joined the others. Kurisutopha asked "So how did you guys get back to life? I thought that's what we were hunting these for."

He reached into his pocket and removed a Dragonball. Gohan's mouth dropped and he blurted out "How are those still active. Dende's died and he was their creator. Without him they should have turned to rocks!"

Kuris shrugged his shoulders and said "Dunno. Go figure. Hey, who are you anyway?"

Gohan replied "My name's Gohan. I was the Kaioshin of the northern quadrant until Enma made his stupid deal. Now I'm just one of you guy's; and weaker than some of you."

Kuris nodded and turned to Jiani. He asked, "Why'd you sneak up on me like that. I could have killed you." Jiani snarled and said, "You kill me. Ha, I would have killed you if shrimp boy hadn't interfered. You're just lucky."

Gohan interrupted at this point and said

"Hold up there. It doesn't matter who would have killed who. Don't forget that we only have one week here and in that time we have to find a new guardian and keep earth safe for a while. I have an idea. We'll hold a tournament between us to determine who takes over."

Firipipu spoke out after hearing this and said

"What's the point. Either you or Jiani will win. I mean, Jiani's the afterlife champion and you're his, although now weaker, trainer. Why don't you two just fight it out."

Gohan stared at Firipipu, then said "I'll pull some strings upstairs and the winner gets control of the Dragonballs and gets his life restored. And besides, many people in the afterlife didn't compete. I'll invite anyone from the northern sector to fight as well then."

Grins swept across all three deceased senshi's faces. The chance of having their life back was too good an opportunity to pass up. Even if they knew that there would be stronger people then them competing, it was worth a try. Kuris spoke up next and said

"Hey, what about me and Luna, can't we enter it. Were Senshi too, we should have a shot at it to."

"Ooh Kuris." Firipipu interrupted  "I think you've got a crush on her don't you." He then began to sing

Kurisutopha and Luna

Sitting In a tree

K.I.S.S.I.N... URK!!

* * *

Luna was awoken by all the commotion around her. Kuris had grabbed Firipipu by the collar and was threatening to throw him over the edge of the tower, while Gohan and Jiani desperately clutched his arms to try and stop him She sat up and observed what was going on. She then asked Pi-ta, who was standing next to her,

"Pi-ta, what are they arguing about?" Pi-ta turned to face her and said

"Kuris tried to get you a place in the tournament and Firipipu started teasing him about liking you. So he grabbed him and it's taken Gohan and Jiani to restrain him from disposing of Firipipu."

Luna then said disgustedly "Me fall for him, give me a break. I'd rather sleep with Roshi! Say, this tournament, what's it for and what's it called"

Pi-ta replied "It's to decide who become guardian of the earth and gets control of the Dragonballs. And if you're dead you get your life restored. I have no idea what it's called though."

He got up and walked over to Gohan and asked him. He returned quickly and said

"It's called the Kami-Uta Tenaki Boudakai, and if I win I get to live again. And you control the Dragonballs so I can wish everyone back again. Pretty sweet deal, don't ya think."

Luna nodded and got up. She had decided to have a look around the outpost and see what was what around there. She headed past the still arguing Kurisutopha and Firipipu and walked towards the as of yet unvisited building. It was exactly the same on the outside but inside was a different matter. She opened the door to be greeted by a vast void of whiteness. It stretched for miles in front of her, beyond the horizon and further. She stepped backwards and looked up at the building. She then walked around it in a full circle, twice, and returned to the door still puzzled.

Gohan approached her and said,

"So, you've found the hyperbolic time chamber. This place is cool. One day out here is one year in there. Vegeta loved this place, but you wouldn't know him."

A look of deep concentration crossed her face until she suddenly realised who he was talking about.

"Hey, I know him, he sent me to Roshi in the first place. Short, angry and spiky hair right."

Gohan looked at her confused. How could she know about Vegeta, he died first? Pi-ta had joined them now, after thinking long and hard about the tournament and had a few questions.

"Oi Gohan. I gotta ask you. When's this tournament gonna happen, and when are we gonna gather the last two Dragonballs?"

Distracted by this intrusion, Gohan forgot about Luna's knowledge of the deceased and answered Pi-ta's questions.

"A, in five days, it'll give you a chance to train. And B, we don't need to, there here."

Pi-ta and Luna looked at him, as if secretly saying, 'what the hell is he ranting on about'. Gohan must have sensed this and said

"There in the building we came in through. I saw them on a pedestal before we came down here. I thought they were replicas until Kurisutopha showed me the ones he had. I'll fetch them now if ya want." Still not believing him, Pi-ta scowled at him and said

"Whatever, come on, tell me when we will find them. I wanna live again." Gohan shook his head at him and turned towards the building. Then he stood perfectly still. He began to fade out of view, which startled Luna. She reached out to touch him on the shoulder, but her hand went straight through. Pi-ta however wasn't startled. He'd seen Gohan's speed before and was used to his disappearing trick. Gohan then re-appeared next to him, clutching a Dragonball in each hand. He smiled and yelled out

"Everyone, get over here. I need to show you something."

Firipipu leapt up and ran over to them, but Jiani and Kurisutopha were more subdued and calmly walked over. But his calmness was shattered as soon as they laid eyes on the Dragonballs. Jiani instantly yelled

"Well what are we waiting for, lets get the others and summon that dragon." Gohan shook his head and said "Can't"

The others stared at him and Luna said "Why the hell not!"

Gohan replied "Because it's suppertime and I'm starved. And it's too late, I'm tired as well."

Classic manga sweatdrops formed on everyone's heads and they all proceeded to crash to the floor.  Gohan just scratched the back of his head and said

"What?"

* * *

It was late now. Many of the Senshi had fallen asleep now. Luna was fast asleep in her sleeping bag, Pi-ta was slumped against a wall, Jiani was laid out on the floor and Kurisutopha had surrendered his sleeping bag to Firipipu. Only he and Gohan were still awake now. Kurisutopha was standing right on the edge of the platform, staring out across the planet, as if he were its watchman. Gohan came up behind him and asked "You miss him don't you?"

"That's none of your business so just butt out alright!" Came the reply. Gohan wasn't startled by this but said "You don't need to worry you know, he's up with all the great heroes of the world. He more than earned his right to be there. Who knows, he may even be in the tournament."

Kuris didn't stir, but said to Gohan "You really think so?"

Gohan nodded and turned to walk away. He hesitated and after a few seconds asked "You sense that?"

Kuris nodded and turned around. He had known something wasn't quite right from when they got here, but couldn't pinpoint it. Now that almost everyone's Chi's were suppressed he could sense clearly that there were two others there. And he'd sensed these before. Gohan turned to him and asked "Who are they?"

Kuris' replied "Both of them are people I know. One's evil, the other is full of hate. They have to be…"

He was interrupted by the sound of a tree being smashed to pieces. They both shot their heads towards its source and saw a tall figure standing in the dark. Kuris shouted out when he recognised her "It's Rea, that Ragiard Girl. She followed us here!"

The others were awoken by his shouting and, upon noticing Rea, leapt up and prepared to defend themselves. However, she paid no notice to them and shot straight over to Kurisutopha and Gohan. However, she was intercepted by a small ki blast. She was almost knocked off the tower but steadied herself just in time. The other energy source shot forward and began to attack her. Although they were moving at such incredible speed it was obvious that the other attacker had longish hair and a headband. The others just stood by and watched the fight.

The unknown attacker kicked Rea in the chest, sending her flying backwards. He then shot up into the air and powered up an energy ball above his head. He then threw it straight at her. Rea saw it coming and leapt out of the way. The blast destroyed a small section of the tower, sending rubble flying towards the ground miles below. They continued their fight while the rest watched on in amazement.

Rea glanced down towards the observers. She then caught sight of what she had come here for. Tiring of fighting with the unknown person, she hit him full out in the face and blasted him from close range. He was sent crashing into one of the buildings and was buried by rubble. Rea smiled and turned towards where Luna was standing.

She shot forward and landed infront of her. She grabbed her by the hair and placed her into a headlock. Luna screamed in pain and struggled to get free. Rea raised her fist and struck Luna in the stomach, knocking her unconscious. She then bent down to picked up the rucksack that contained the Dragonballs. She turned in time to see Jiani's sword swing for her head. With catlike grace she side-stepped it and karate chopped him on the back of the neck. He fell forward and dropped his sword. Rea then yelled out "If you don't want this one hurt, you'll stay back! I don't wanna hurt her but I need these."

Kuris yelled back at her "Why, so you can wish for immortality. My sensei told me about people like you. You don't care for anyone else but yourselves. All you bring is destruction and death, you make me sick."

Rea then said softly  "It's not like that, I just want to go home." Jiani had gotten up now and said "Yea, right. You'll just get an army together and come to destroy us. Kuris' is right, you are sickening."

Suddenly a large explosion rocked the tower and the building the unknown warrior had crashed into collapsed. He was floating just above the wreckage, clothes torn and ripped, and had a large yellow aura. He was scowling over towards Rea, and when he noticed that she was holding Luna he screamed with rage. He then shot forward towards her. A look of panic spread across Rea's face and she released Luna. She then turned and shot towards the edge of the tower. Kuris' began to give chase but was stopped by Gohan.

The unknown warrior shot between the Senshi and, when he got near enough to Rea, slid forward and swept his leg infront of her. She tripped and fell face-first to the floor, dropping the rucksack at the same time. It was open so when it landed it spilt its contents, which proceeded to roll off the edge of the tower. She crawled forward and managed to stop one from falling off. She leant over the edge and watched the Dragonballs get swept away by the air currents emanating from the bottom of the platform.

The unknown warrior the spoke out "That stops your little plan, now to stop you're life and get a little payback."

Jiani was shocked; he recognised the warrior's voice. But before he could tell someone the platform began to rock. Both Rea and the warrior were powering up to do battle again. Everyone attempted to grab hold of something solid the keep themselves up.

Pi-ta picked Luna up and decided to carry her to a safe place. He thought the sky would be safer than the ground so he floated upwards and away from the platform. Firipipu and Jiani followed him but Kurisutopha and Gohan were not shaken. The unknown person finished powering up first and raised his hand to fire an energy blast towards Rea.

Just as he was about to Gohan caught hold of his wrist and said "Leave her, she's no threat to you."

This lapse in concentration gave Rea a chance to get up and leap off the tower. The person attempted to follow her, but Gohan wouldn't release his arm. The others had returned now, and Jiani had come over to where Gohan was standing with the warrior. He approached the warrior and said "So, you are alive then. Jammy git, I got fried and you didn't."

Gohan looked puzzled and said "You know this person?"

Jiani nodded and said, "Of course I do. This is Neisan, the guy who, as I believe it, failed to save earth."

Neisan shot a grimacing look at Jiani and said "Failed. You're the one who failed. I lasted a solid fifteen minutes against that prince guy and you got beaten by that girl."

Jiani scowled back and said "I failed! I was double-teamed. You had to fight them one at a time. And besides, I died, you don't know what that's like."

Neisan's scowl turned to a look of extreme rage. "I don't know what that's like. I've had to spend a whole year in hell, being tormented by every hideous creature in the entire galaxy. I had to fight to stay sane down there. No food, no water. Just endless streams of blood and destruction. You have no idea what that's like."

Neisan closed his eyes, remembering all the suffering that he had endured, all the hatred he had seen. Tears began to well up inside his eyes. He turned away and walked towards the edge of the tower. He looked out over the world that he had longed to see for two long years. He reached above his head and caught hold of the halo that was floating there. This was a curse he could never remove.

Kuris and Firipipu had joined them now, while Pi-ta kept a close eye on Luna. Firipipu asked innocently "What's his problem. And who is he anyway."

Jiani didn't turn to face him but said "That's Neisan"

Firipipu thought hard until he could recall who Neisan was. When he finally remembered he asked Kurisutopha "Kuris', I thought you said he had disappeared, not died. It must have been awful for him, but at least he's alive now."

Kuris' shuck his head and said. "No, he isn't. Look above his head. He's still got a halo, and you guys don't. He's still dead, but I don't know how he's here."

Gohan overheard them and said "He escaped. That's why we need a guardian. There's no one to stop deceased spirits coming to this planet. He probably came in through the same way as we did, but ahead of us."

* * *

Pi-ta was kneeling next to Luna, bandaging the cut on her head that was made by Rea. Just as he finished she regained consciousness. She sat up and looked around. Her sight was still a little blurred but she could make out the others standing in a group, Pi-ta sitting next to her and another person standing at the edge of the tower. Wearily she sat up and asked "Who's the guy over there?"

"That's Neisan, he saved you, defeated Rea and lost the Dragonballs. I'd leave him alone right now. I didn't quite hear what he said but its upset him big-time."

Luna glanced at Pi-ta then looked over towards Neisan. She couldn't figure it out. Why was he so upset, he just defeated Rea. He should be happy. But he wasn't. She began to stand up, but had to be assisted by Pi-ta. She did manage to walk and they joined the others. She looked at Gohan and asked "Can I have a word with him? I need to thank him for what he did for me."

Gohan nodded and proceeded to pick her up and fly her over to him. He set her down behind him and returned to the group. Luna stood next to him and looked out over where he was looking. Neisan looked over to her and said "Please leave me alone, I want to be left in peace."

Luna ignored him and said "It's beautiful isn't it. The world that is. I can't imagine what I would do if something were to happen to it."

"I've waited a whole year to see it again," said Neisan "one long, horrible year in the pits of hell. I was almost driven insane by it, but the thought of the night sky above my head kept me going. But it cannot last. Night must turn to day, day to night, until one day it stops; and I will stop too."

Luna hadn't expected to hear that from him. She had thought he would have ignored her, but this seemingly impenetrable person had actually talked to her.

"Thank you for saving my life back there. Rea would have certainly killed me if you hadn't interfered like that."

Neisan looked towards her and their eyes met. They stared at each other for a few minutes, each searching for what the other was thinking. To Luna, Neisan's cold, deep eyes were staring far into her. They weren't the eyes of a mighty warrior, but were inviting and she felt secure just looking at them. To Neisan, Luna's bright blue eyes were calm and deep. They were the complete opposite to his and this made him feel secure.

A tear slowly ran down his cheek and he turned away to hide it. Luna was surprised at this and said

"What's wrong?"

She was hoping that he would once again look towards her so she could continue to look for the trouble that was manifested inside of him. Neisan didn't turn but instead said

"Please, just leave me alone."

He then floated up into the sky so she couldn't follow him. He knew what was happening and didn't want to subject anyone to what he had gone through. Luna watched him ascend, then turned to return to the others. She now felt refreshed and energised. When she rejoined the group Jiani asked her

"What happened then. Why is he so reluctant to talk to us, and what's he mean 'the pits of hell' " Luna just ignored him and continued back to their little camp. She laid down on her sleeping bag and closed her eyes. She couldn't get the image of those deep, dark eyes out of her head. She fell fast asleep with the feeling that something was different about Neisan, and she would discover what it was. Even if it killed her.