Sentiments of gip-k: -Hello! People have been sitting in suspense for a long time I presume. You probably think "Yay, the story!" But no… I have decided to ramble! :D You don't have to read it though.
Also, I'd like to note that since this is fanfiction, I'll be changing some stuff that happens in DBZ. If you have watched the show, you'll recognize these changes. If not, then you probably won't. Okay? I-
Kenshin: May I speak to Kaoru, Miss gip-k?
Me: NO.
Kenshin: But why, Miss gip-k?
Me: She is like mushy oatmeal right now, Kenshin. She can't handle any visitors.
Goku: That's strange. (Does the scratch on the head thing) Kaoru was fine when I last saw her. (Goku gets bonked on the head repeatedly by me but doesn't feel it so I yell in his ear instead)
Me: GOKU YOU INSANELY DUMB BAKA SHE IS STILL WORRIED ABOUT KENSHIN SO WHEN SHE'S ALL ALONE SHE BREAKS DOWN! SHEEEEEEESH!
Goku: (0.o) Oh, okay.
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Disclaimer: I OWN KENSHIN! I OWN GOKU! (I hear the footsteps of two VERY angry ladies named Chi-Chi and Kaoru) Okay, scratch that. I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or Dragonball Z. They belong to Watsuki Nobuhiro and Akira Toriyama respectively. (The angry footsteps stop)
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---Chapter 12---
"But that's not fair!" Gohan cried. He clenched his hands into fists.
"Well that's just too bad," Frieza said with a devious smile on his face. "Well, who's next? Are you all too afraid to attack?"
"No," Piccolo said, glaring at Frieza. "But just tell us one thing. How did you get back?"
"Fool Namek," Frieza said, frowning angrily. "Your friend blew half of my body to bits!" Frieza's smile once again returned. "However… he did a foolish thing- a very foolish thing. He decided to have mercy on me. You don't know what pain I went through. And… my father found me like that. Robotic parts have replaced the missing parts of my body. The good thing about it is… I am even more powerful than I was before! Mwhahahahahaha!"
The Z-fighters stared at Frieza in horror.
"That's right!" Frieza said. "My power level has increased. Also… it's just too bad that your precious Kakarot showed me mercy… now I can give him ten times the pain he ever caused me!"
"Why?"
Frieza blinked. He looked down at Kenshin. Kenshin was staring up at him, his amethyst eyes filled with gravity.
"If Goku showed you mercy, why can't you return the favor, I say, rather than try to avenge something that is already in the past?" Kenshin asked. "I simply cannot understand the purpose of your being here, and I'd like to suggest that you return to your homeland, that I do."
Frieza snorted.
"You pathetic weakling," Frieza said. "Do you know who I am? Are you aware of how powerful I am? You are nothing to me. You're almost not even worth killing."
"You are right about that last statement, that you are," Kenshin replied. "I have done several wicked things during my lifetime, but instead of continuing in my cycle of killing and violence, I have decided to repent for the wrong that I have done. There is still hope for you, Frieza."
"That's a bunch of nonsense!" Vegeta yelled, turning to Kenshin in a hot rage. "How could you possibly even consider forgiving that… animal!"
"You talk big, Vegeta," Frieza said, smiling. "If I am an animal, you are my prey. All of you."
"I'll kill you!" Vegeta cried, charging at Frieza. He aimed repeated punches at Frieza, but he simply dodged each of them, that evil smile never leaving his lips.
Gohan watched this indignantly and fearfully. Didn't they have any chance- any chance at all?
When Gohan saw Vegeta being hurled downward to the ground by a simple punch of Frieza's, his rage was fully ignited.
"NO!" Gohan cried. He powered up and readied to shoot his special attack. Frieza looked down at him quizzically. "MASENKO BLAST!"
Gohan aimed that attack at Frieza with all the might he could possibly muster. His eyes widened when Frieza simply caught the attack, and began pushing it back against him. Gohan pushed back as hard as he could, but Frieza was just two strong.
"Piccolo- help!" Gohan stammered as he tried to push the attack backwards.
"You made a mistake boy," Frieza said, smiling.
"HELP ME!" Gohan cried.
In a split instant Piccolo stretched out his arm all the way to Frieza's position in the sky. Frieza was shocked by this, and accidentally released his hold on the Masenko Blast. His eyes widened as he was hit full on with the power.
Gohan was breathing hard after the attack. Piccolo was, too.
"I- think- I think it- got him," Gohan said, gasping for breath.
"Yes," Piccolo replied. "It was a lot of power, Gohan, but I don't this battle is over yet."
"I- know," Gohan replied.
Kenshin, Gohan, Piccolo, and Vegeta watched anxiously as the smoke cleared. Their eyes widened. Frieza was standing in exactly the same position as before. He was completely and totally unharmed. He looked slightly annoyed though.
"Humph," Frieza said. "Did you actually think I'd be writhing on the ground from a pathetic attack like that?" Frieza's red eyes scanned the tired group of fighters.
I can't let him do this. Kenshin thought earnestly. I can't let him hurt these people. I have to help. I have to do… something.
"Why are you picking fights with people who are so much weaker than yourself?" Kenshin asked.
Frieza looked down at him.
"You simply don't know me, Kenshin," Frieza replied.
"My pardons, but you are a coward," Kenshin said.
Gohan's eyes widened. Frieza raised a brow.
"What?" Frieza said. "You call me a coward? I didn't see you doing any fighting."
"You are a coward because you stay in the sky where some people cannot reach you, I say," Kenshin replied, his lavender eyes shining as he looked up at him.
"Kenshin what are you doing?" Piccolo demanded.
"Oh," Frieza said, smiling. "I see. Well, if you want to fight me so bad, I'll come down a little."
Kenshin nodded. Piccolo and Gohan looked at Kenshin as though he had completely lost his mind. Kenshin stepped forward away from them.
"Kenshin!" Gohan cried. "If he hit's you once you'll probably die!"
"Don't worry about me, Gohan," Kenshin said, giving the boy a small smile. "I can take care of myself, I say."
Frieza came down to about fourteen feet above the ground.
"If you can't reach me, it's too bad," he said, smiling.
Kenshin smiled back.
"I thank you for your concern," he said. "But I can."
With that, Kenshin jumped up into the sky until he was about three feet above Frieza. Then he unsheathed his sword and tried to hit him from above. Frieza dodged, and Kenshin tried to hit him again. Finally, Kenshin began floating back down to the ground. Then he jumped again and aimed at Frieza differently. He flipped around gracefully and aimed for Frieza's stomach. Frieza dodged. So Kenshin bent down a little bit. He aimed again. He once again missed. He jumped on Frieza's head to gain extra momentum so he wouldn't fall down. Frieza did not look too happy about this. Everything was every still for a second.
"It's my turn," Frieza said. He tried wrapping his tail around Kenshin's legs. Kenshin quickly hit down on him with the sword and used the momentum to push himself up once again. Frieza just barely missed him. Kenshin once again fell down to the ground. He landed smoothly. He re-sheathed his sword.
"What's going on?" Frieza said. "I was just starting to have fun."
Kenshin was not having fun. He was quite aware that Frieza could have at any time hurt him easily, and was not satisfied with this. This time he would do something quite dangerous. If he missed this time, he would leave himself open, and Frieza would easily be able to get him. Most of Frieza's punches could be dodged, the way he was going now. Frieza had no idea what he was going to try and do…
"AHHHHH!"
Kenshin let out a large cry as he thrust forward an off the ground. At the right moment, right when him and Frieza were side by side… Kenshin, using his lightning speed, did the Batujitsu technique, and unsheathed his sword, aiming for Frieza's side. His heart lurched. Right when the attack was about to connect- just exactly… something terrible happened. Frieza disappeared. Kenshin's eyes widened. He had absolutely no time to react. It only took one small second… one second of floating in the sky, one second of Frieza's powering up and of Gohan screaming, running…
Kenshin felt himself being pushed away roughly by small hands. And out of the corner of his left eye- he saw it. Gohan took the ki blast straight in the middle of his chest. His ki blast.
Kenshin landed on the ground roughly. His heartbeats were hard- strained. He felt pain all over from the impact, but he lifted his face out of the dirt. Then he saw it. Piccolo lifting Gohan out of the large indent in the ground- he saw the hole in Gohan's armor. He saw Vegeta flying over slowly. In Kenshin's mind, there was screaming- there was crying- but on his exterior there was calm. Kenshin studied the ground. All your fault. See, you are a loser. Kenshin was plagued with terrible thoughts. Then he looked over to Frieza, who was laughing.
When he saw that… when he saw that laughter- that unashamed display of cruelty… something clicked in his mind. A boy was on the ground, in lots of pain- perhaps dead. And what had just happened? He was laughing! Laughing! Kenshin's hands clenched into fists. He could not accept that. The image of Gohan's limp body plagued Kenshin's mind- images of Frieza laughing about it… he hated Frieza. He hated him. The disgust and contempt was so strong… a well of bitter water rising up in him… he wanted to… he wanted to… he wanted to kill that man.
Yes, he wanted to kill him.
Even if he died doing it… that man would die.
"See what happens, Kenshin?" Frieza asked, his tones disgustingly ironic. "That is who I am. Do you understand it now?" Kenshin did not answer. "Answer me, fool! Answer me!" Kenshin did not answer. He simply re-sheathed his sword. Frieza smiled. "Now you're a coward, aren't you? You're too afraid to attack. I'll show you, Kenshin! You finally understand that there is no hope. You are too ashamed to even lift your face to me. Or are you crying over the boy?" Frieza, curious, began lowering down to the ground. He spoke again. "Look at me, worm." He approached closer to Kenshin.
Kenshin was measuring each and every one of Frieza's footsteps. When Frieza was a foot away, he looked up. Frieza's eyes widened. Kenshin's eyes were not purple anymore… they were a fiery, blazing, sunset aurora… they were amber. And they were filled with hate.
"You once said that this place would be our grave, Frieza," Kenshin said icily. "But now, I assure you… it will be yours."
Kenshin pulled out his sword- this time, the move connected. The reverse blade sword swept across Frieza's shoulder blade. Frieza's red eyes widened at the feeling as he was pushed backward. The feeling was… pain.
The sword blade cracked into many pieces when it touched Frieza. The remaining hilt shook so violently in Kenshin's hand that it twisted and some of the ligaments connecting his fingers tore apart on the inside. But Kenshin did not care. This was what he wanted. He wanted to see Frieza feel pain.
When Frieza recovered, he looked at Kenshin with severe hate and contempt.
"HOW DARE YOU!" Frieza cried. "Meet your demise, Kenshin!"
With that, Frieza punched Kenshin straight in the stomach. He bent, and slid backward twenty feet. Then… he toppled to the ground, the punch taking all the energy out of him. He coughed out blood as he impacted. His vision blurred… was this the end?
* * *
"Kenshin," Gohan croaked, coughing. Piccolo held him down. It was amazing that he was still alive. Were it not for his armor he would not have been.
"Please, let me go-" Gohan coughed. "Let me go to Kenshin."
"No," Piccolo said. "You're very weak."
"NO!" Gohan protested, trying to wriggle away from Piccolo. "KENSHIN!"
"Ha!" Frieza said. "You're a bunch of weaklings. Your red-haired human is dead. There is no hope."
Then Frieza began his devious laughter once again. A solitary tear rolled down Gohan's cheek.
"He was my friend," Gohan replied, coughing.
"Well, well, who to kill first?" Frieza replied, obviously amused. He grimaced. There was a small dent in his arm where Kenshin's attack had connected.
Vegeta frowned. He eyed Kenshin warily. It's impossible. Vegeta thought. His power level couldn't have increased that much in such a small amount of time. It was almost… almost higher than mine! Impossible! Just for a second- no, it had to be impossible!
"Well, well, who will to meet their doom first?" Frieza asked in amusement.
"You will."
Frieza flipped around, as did the rest of the Z-fighters. Before them stood a fighter that none of them had ever seen before.
The young man stood before them his chin lifted up high. He had piercing eyes the color of a blue azure. His hair- the one that the wind was tousling ever so softly- was the startling color of pale violet. His short navy blue coat and baggy gray pants suited him as surely as the sword strapped to his back. All together it made him the image of a hero- unashamed- unafraid- and unstoppable.
Frieza's purplish lips twisted into another one of his trademark smiles. He looked at the youth in amusement.
"So, come to join in the fun, have you?" Frieza drawled. "It was getting kind of boring. Well I suppose if you want to die, you can decide to interrupt me."
The anonymous youth smiled.
"I don't think so," he replied. "I'd much rather have that happen to you."
"You seem to have a lot of confidence… for a kid," Frieza said sarcastically. "Who do you think you are?"
"I am a Super Saiyan."
Gohan gasped. Vegeta and Piccolo watched intently, waiting to see the result of the events unfolding before their eyes.
Frieza laughed.
"I'm very sure," he said. "Prove it to me."
"Sure."
With that, the stranger began powering up. Vegeta, Piccolo, and Gohan could feel his power level rising. A gold glow surrounded him, and he began to change. His bluish eyes slowly became green, and his straight hair began to stretch out into a crazy fashion, as well as changing color. Finally, he stopped powering up. He now had pale golden hair instead of purple, and his green eyes looked even more confident than the blue. He was done his transformation.
"WHAT?" Frieza asked, red eyes wide with horror. "It's impossible!"
The boy smiled.
"Actually, it is."
Frieza began shaking, both with rage and fear.
"NO!"
"I'll give you five minutes of free attacking," the youth replied calmly. "If you can't defeat me then-"
"I WON'T LET YOU DO THIS! YOU CAN'T RUIN EVERYTHING!" Frieza screamed. He quickly created a blast and then shot it at the boy. He simply moved to the side and it went straight past him. Then Frieza charged at him. The boy blocked all of his attacks. After that, Frieza shot repeated ki blast at the pale-haired youth. He deflected all of them with ease. Frieza shot a big one, and he grabbed that one and threw it off into the sky gracefully. It all seemed like a game to the boy.
"Your five minutes are up, Frieza," the boy said, eyes serious.
Frieza was already gasping for breath. His eyes widened when the youth appeared in front of him. Trunks shot a blast at him from point blank range, pulled out his sword, and chopped him into fifty perfect pieces. Frieza had been defeated- and defeated with ease.
Gohan could scarcely believe what he had just seen. He blinked when the boy looked at him. The boy touched down on the ground from his place in the sky.
Then they heard a groan. Gohan's eyes roved back and forth. They landed on Kenshin.
Kenshin was trying to get up.
That was impossible. Kenshin was dead!
"KENSHIN!" Gohan cried. Gohan crawled over to where Kenshin was. Piccolo and Vegeta followed him, bewildered.
"You… defeated him?" Kenshin asked. He coughed out some blood.
Gohan nodded.
"I have a potion for him," the youth said, approaching them.
Gohan, Piccolo, and Vegeta watched intently while the boy reached in his jacket and pulled out small container. He took the top off of it, and then helped Kenshin drink it. Kenshin coughed.
"That should make him feel better," the boy replied. He looked at his watch. "We have to get over to where all the rest of the guys are. They've been battling King Cold for a whole two minutes now."
"Hey, hold on a second!" Vegeta exclaimed. The boy looked at him. "You don't actually think you can just come in here, not tell us anything about yourself, then start running the show?"
The boy just stared at Vegeta.
"Vegeta," Gohan replied. "This guy just defeated Frieza like he was a piece of cake! Don't you think we ought to be grateful to him?"
"Just because he defeated Frieza doesn't mean he can be trusted," Vegeta replied, glancing at the boy once again. "I think I would like to know your age, name, and where the hell you came from!"
"I'm sorry, but there's no time for that," the youth replied simply. He turned to Piccolo. "Please take the injured man and the boy back to your ship. I'll go deal with King Cold."
"I'm coming with you," Vegeta said firmly.
For a second- the boy looked sheepish- but his old face came back.
"Well, okay," the boy said. "If you really want to."
"Why would I not want to come with you?" Vegeta demanded.
The boy shrugged.
"Well, let's go then," he said.
So Vegeta and the boy powered up and blasted off. Piccolo picked up Kenshin and Gohan and flew off towards the ship.
* * *
Vegeta and the boy continued flying. Vegeta flew a little bit behind the youth. He frowned slightly. Something about the boy he didn't like. It was all the secrecy…
"Do you have a name, boy?" Vegeta asked.
"Uh, yeah," the boy said sheepishly. "I'm sorry but I can't tell you that."
Vegeta snorted.
"And just why is that?" he asked sarcastically.
"I have… reasons," the boy replied.
"I might as well not ask those reasons, nor where you're from, then," Vegeta said, tone ironic.
"I would really like to tell you, but I can't," he replied. He looked at his watch.
"Why do you keep looking at that watch?" Vegeta replied.
The youth bit his lip.
"I think I might have gotten here too late," he muttered to himself. "If we don't get there soon, Yamcha could die."
"How do you know that?" Vegeta asked. The boy did not reply. "Oh, so that's a secret, too." Vegeta said in a gruff voice.
The boy smiled sheepishly, his cheeks reddening.
"What do you look like that for?" Vegeta demanded.
"N- nothing," the boy replied. His face grew serious again. "I think we're getting closer."
Vegeta's hand clenched into a fist. King Cold was even more powerful than Frieza. If this kid could defeat him, he could defeat anyone.
When they reached the area, they saw a very frightened looking Bulma, and an angry, battered, and bruised Krillin. Tien lying on the ground, bleeding, and Chiaotzu was unconscious. Yamcha looked to be in the best shape, but he looked very tired.
The youth touched down at the ground, and Vegeta did the same.
"Hello, King Cold," He said, voice serious.
King Cold looked just like Frieza- only he was in form two. He had black horns sticking out of his head, and the skin of his arms and legs was ribbed and pink. He also looked less like a female, and one could tell that he was older than Frieza. But he had a similar twisted smile.
"Vegeta?" Yamcha asked, breathing hard. He looked from Vegeta to the youth.
"Vegeta!" Krillin cried. He limped over.
"We found four of the dragonballs, but then- then King Cold came, and we had to start fighting him," he said, seriously. "We didn't do very well. Wow, Vegeta, it's nice to see you. Is everyone else okay?"
"No," Vegeta replied. "I wouldn't say okay-" he glanced at King Cold. "But I would say alive."
"Well, that does not make very much sense," King Cold replied in mock-thoughtfulness. "I had thought that my son Frieza would have already killed all of you."
"He's dead," the youth replied coldly.
King Cold's eyes widened temporarily, but then he smiled.
"I assume you are the one who defeated him," he replied. "It's a pleasure to meet you, lad. I think we have a few things to talk about."
"Like, what."
"Like how you would make a fine addition to my… team," King Cold replied, a smile on his face. "A fine youth like you, one with enough strength and power to defeat someone like my son, and so easily… your talent must not be wasted. Why, I am quite sure that that sword you carry must be quite special- a unique specimen. May I see it, please? I admire its wonderful shape and design. It must be the source of your power, isn't it?"
The youth smiled.
"You want it-" the boy began, dropping his sword into the middle of the ground in between he and King Cold. "-You can take it."
"Hey kid are you insane what're you doing?" Yamcha demanded.
King Cold and the youth alike both ignored this comment. King Cold's eyes lighted up as he grasped the hilt of the sword and pulled it out of the ground.
"Such a fine, unique weapon," he said, studying it. Then he looked up at the smirking boy. "HA! You made a mistake to give me this. You're probably nothing without this sword."
"Really?" the boy asked in mock-inquisition. "Am I really nothing without that sword."
"Yes," King Cold replied.
He swung the sword down at the boy. The boy lifted up his hand and grabbed the edge of the blade easily, glaring up at the king. King Cold's eyes widened as he was slowly pushed back. Then, the boy kicked King Cold. He flew back, releasing the weapon. The boy threw it into the air, caught it smoothly by the hilt and just as smoothly put it in back in its sheath.
King Cold tried to step out of the mountain that he had been pushed into. The boy began approaching him. He put on a smile that twisted the purple lips of his now bleeding mouth.
"Come on," King Cold said. "Have mercy. I didn't do anything to you, now did I? Your power is obviously superior to mine. I was simply testing to see if your divine strength matched that of which was in my mind. We can still make a league together- you and I. We can rid the world of people who think they can threaten our… empire. So, please, have mercy. I promise this will never happen again-"
"Did you have mercy on those thousands of aliens who begged for it?" the boy asked. "Did you have mercy on their children? You squashed them like bugs under your three-toed foot. No, you didn't have mercy. So you don't deserve to have mercy shown to you."
King Cold's eyes widened as the boy shot a solitary ki blast into the mountain where he was pinned. He barely screamed- barely saw it before he was disintegrated. The mountain caved in on his ashes, and there was nothing left of him- not anything at all.
"Wow," Krillin breathed.
The boy powered down and went back to normal Saiyan form. His short purple hair and azure orbs were back. He looked like just an ordinary kid again.
"Okay, everyone, let's go back to the ship," he replied. "I'm sorry I didn't bring anymore potions. Are Tien and Chiaotzu okay?"
All of the fighters blinked.
"How do you know their names?" Yamcha asked.
The boy looked a little uneasy.
"Um, I've heard of you all before," he replied.
"All of us?" "Krillin asked. "Even me?"
"Well, yeah," the boy said, smiling.
Yamcha, Krillin, and Vegeta aided Tien and Chiaotzu. Then all together, they flew back to the ship.
* * *
Piccolo pushed open the door of the capsule ship. Then he entered. He carefully let Kenshin down, who grimaced, still in a lot of pain from his encounter. Then Piccolo helped Gohan get down. Piccolo flipped around suddenly at the distinct sound of beeping. He turned to a small screen that was hanging from the ceiling. The flashing red light on the left side of the metallic frame stated that someone was trying to reach them.
"Get it," Gohan said. "I think it's Mom."
Piccolo heeded to Gohan's request and pressed one of the buttons on the screen's frame. Immediately, he saw crackling. Then the screen cleared, and just as expected, was Gohan's mother. Also, Master Roshi, Oolong, Puar, and Dr. Briefs were there, too, all trying to squeeze in and take a look.
"Piccolo?" Chi-Chi said. "Piccolo, can you see me?"
"Yeah," Piccolo replied.
Puar cut in front of Chi-Chi, concern etched into her features.
"Where's Yamcha?" she asked.
Chi-Chi pushed back in front of Puar. She looked extremely frantic and concerned.
"Where's Gohan?" she asked. "Where's my son?"
"I'm right here, Mom," Gohan said, crawling up in range of the screen.
"Gohan!" Chi-Chi, cried, her eyes filled shock and a glimpse of pain. "Gohan, what happened to you?"
"We ran into some problems," Piccolo said, face serious. "Frieza re-appeared."
"What?" Master Roshi exclaimed. "But that's not possible!"
"Where's Yamcha!" Puar cried. "Is he all right?"
"I… don't know," Piccolo replied.
"What do you know, then?" Master Roshi asked.
"I do know that a kid with pale purple hair appeared out of nowhere and killed Frieza like he was nothing," Piccolo replied grimly.
"WHAT?" Oolong cried.
"There's lots we still don't know yet," Piccolo said, his eyes looking disturbed.
"I want my son back here!" Chi-Chi cried. "You seem to always be putting him in harms way, so you'd better bring him back safe or I swear I will f***ing kill you!"
"Chi-Chi, calm down," Oolong said.
"NO!" Chi-Chi cried, fighting them. "My son is out there and I want him back home!"
Then the signal began to fade.
"NO!" Chi-Chi was screaming. Then the connection winked out of existence.
Piccolo turned off the screen. There was little use in looking at static.
Piccolo turned to Kenshin, who was still bleeding badly.
"He needs help," Piccolo replied. "I am going to go get the senzu beans and some bandages." Gohan nodded.
So Piccolo went to get the first aid kit and the senzu beans, and Gohan stayed with Kenshin, who was pale and breathing raggedly.
"Gohan-" Kenshin said, grabbing Gohan's arm.
Gohan's eyes widened.
"What is it?" He asked softly.
"Thank you for… saving me," Kenshin said. He smiled softly. "All of this is-" He coughed- a cough that made Gohan feel like crying. "I have never- had anyone- jump in my way like that before. I- cough- would have died. Had it, not, been for your kindness. I- cough- cough- do not deserve that. I am so… unworthy."
"Kenshin," Gohan said firmly, struggling to steady his voice. "Piccolo went to find the senzu beans and some bandages. You're going to be okay."
Kenshin smiled.
"Yes, I know," he replied. "I have faced death- many times. But always… always alone. I was sure it was all over. But then, I saw- I saw- Miss Kaoru."
"Who is Miss Kaoru?" Gohan asked softly.
"She is- very beautiful," Kenshin replied. "She… runs the dojo that I stay at. She… she has been so kind to me."
"So you saw her?" Gohan asked. He felt his stomach twisting- he was both nervous and eager.
"Y- yes," Kenshin replied, still smiling. "I- I saw her… crying. She was… calling my name. She- she told me to get up. She- she was- she was screaming. She said that I couldn't die- she said- people needed me. She said- said that I had to get up. She was crying so hard. I… I've never seen her like that."
Just then, Piccolo returned with the senzu beans. He fed a quarter to Kenshin so that he would still be numb during the bandaging, but he gave a whole one to Gohan.
"You're not going to eat any?" Gohan asked.
Piccolo shook his head.
"I don't need it."
Kenshin was a wreck. Some of his armor had poked into him from Frieza's punch. Gohan felt cold- he felt… disturbed. Kenshin's breathing became more ragged. Gohan almost wanted to tell Piccolo to be careful, but that was stupid. Piccolo was always careful. Kenshin grimaced. He looked so… weak.
Finally, after a few more agonizing moments, Piccolo was done. He gave Kenshin the rest of the senzu bean and some water. Kenshin seemed better. He closed his eyes, his breathing slowly steadying.
"He's going to be okay, isn't he?" Gohan asked.
Piccolo nodded.
"I can't believe he's alive," Piccolo replied grimly. "He should be dead right now. I'm starting to wonder whether or not he's human."
Just then, the door of the capsule ship opened to admit the rest of the fighters, and the mysterious boy. Bulma greeted Gohan cheerfully. She was about to start rambling about the mysterious boy, when her eyes fell on Kenshin. She gasped and put a hand to her mouth.
"Oh my God," she said. "What -?"
"Frieza hit him," Piccolo replied simply.
"Yes," Gohan said, nodding. "But he'll be okay now."
"Hi, kid," Yamcha said. He looked around the place. Then his face grew grim. "It looks like we're all alive."
"Yes," Bulma said.
"Puar was really worried about you, Yamcha," Gohan said. "We got a message from her through transmission."
The fighters talked a little more. Krillin, Tien, and Chiaotzu were given senzu beans. Everyone sat down to rest.
"This guy," Bulma said cheerfully, pointing to the mysterious boy. "Defeated King Cold like he was a piece of cake!"
The boy blushed.
"And he's a Super Saiyan!" Yamcha exclaimed. "Just like Goku!"
The boy looked even more sheepish at this. Vegeta was not amused.
"In case no one noticed," Vegeta said. "It is impossible for this boy to have Saiyan blood in his veins. Kakarot and I are the only Saiyans left."
"But he can do the transformation," Yamcha argued. "But hey, I suppose we do need some answers."
All eyes turned to the boy.
"Hey, and isn't that the Capsule Corp. icon on your jacket?" Bulma asked, brightening up at the notice of it.
The youth looked even more embarrassed.
"Um, I'm a fan of Capsule Corp., too," he replied sheepishly. He glanced at Vegeta.
"What are you looking at me for?" Vegeta asked.
The boy quickly looked away.
"Well, I'm sorry everyone, but I can't exactly tell you where I came from," he replied. "It's kinda… classified."
"Apologies, apologies," Vegeta replied sarcastically. "I don't think we asked for those."
"I mean, come on, can't you tell us something?" Krillin asked.
"Well, I'm not from around here," he said.
"How old are you?" Yamcha asked.
"I'm fourteen," the youth replied shyly.
"Oh, and those were not obvious," Vegeta replied sarcastically.
The group talked a little more.
"I kinda have to get back home," the boy said. "My mom… will be worried about me."
"Oh, come on!" Bulma exclaimed. "Can't you just stay a little longer?"
"I'm, afraid not," the youth replied, glancing at Vegeta. He blushed. "Uh, I have to sort of get home."
"Why the hell do you keep looking at me?" Vegeta asked.
"Uh, no reason," the boy replied. "Well, uh, bye everyone."
He turned to leave. "Well, um, also, the last dragonball is to the far south east of here. I believe you guys were looking for the other two when you went over there, right, Gohan?"
Gohan nodded.
"Well, okay," the boy replied. "Well, it was nice meeting you, everyone." The youth smiled and waved to Bulma. "I'll see you guys some other time."
Then he left the capsule ship and through the window, could be seen powering up and flying away.
"Wow, he was strange," Bulma replied. "But cute!"
Then she looked at Vegeta. "You know, you and he seem to resemble each other a little bit. Don't you think so, Yamcha?"
Vegeta did not look amused.
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gip-k's Post Chapter Statements: -Well, that's it! There goes my max chapter thing. This time I went like, two pages over it, and last I went three under. (!!!) Oh well, who cares? I am sure hoping you all liked it! I would like to thank my new readers/reviewers.
Chibi Binasu-chan
No, you rock! You rock all the way! Thank for reviewing!
Mashed Potato Master
Thanks for reviewing! You are cool!
Britanny67
Thank you for reviewing as well! I liked your review and I'm glad you're reading! :D
Sepia-Shadowdress
Thank you for reviewing as well! I like all the reviews! :D
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And also, thanks to ALL my reviewers, especially those who have me on their author alert list! (Hugs) All of you rock! I still haven't found out who Midnight Youko is or which of my stories that person read, but thanks for putting me on your favorites' list!
Also, for those of you who do not know who the "mysterious youth" is, then e-mail me and I can give you the whole real scoop! Or, you can go to the Dragonball Z official web site. Other web sites well give you information on power levels and such. Thanks, everyone!
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