War Against the Saiyans Chapter 3:

Disclaimer - I don't own dbz so don't sue!

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The blood red planet almost seemed to glisten from the light brought about by the hot sun. Even at night, some light came from the star heating up the planet so no cold was ever felt. Except for that one time, when the sun was covered for a short period of time by another spherical object and the planet became dark…and cold.

It had snowed then, and the man remembered it well. He remembered watching the saiyan children outside carrying out snowball fights and making snow angels by lying on their back amongst the white powder and moving their limbs until no snow was left around them. These imprints would not last long though as crowds of unruly saiyan children ran through them still away, chasing after each other and staring in wonder as more snow fell from the sky.

He remembered his then only son inquiring as to what was happening. The child was only five at the time and like most children, did not know what snow looked like. In fact many of the saiyan adults were unaware of the cold sprinkles…only those who had lived all those years ago and had seen the last time the 'sky had fallen' remembered what the powder was. The man's father had told him what it was so the man was able to pass down this information to his young son. The child had just nodded and then rushed off to join his playmates outside in the cold.

The man was not used to the cold at all…and neither were the other saiyans. Where fights and battles had not ended their life, the cold knife of frosty weather had and many despaired about this factor. It made them worry…made them fear the snow. However the children were so carefree, so young that they had not yet started serious training with their fathers to become saiyan warriors and therefore were not afraid of the snow…they weren't afraid of anything.

The man thought about how much had changed since then. The planet had only been under the rule of Frieza for a year and nothing had occurred. Then, on what should have been the man's happiest day of his life, a tragedy occurred… the saiyan prince had been taken by the Ice-Jin. His partner had given birth to a son and the tragedy of the saiyan prince being taken was further marred by his partner's death. Now all he had left was his five year old son and a new-born to remind him of his partner…and then there was the panic…with the saiyan prince gone, others worried that their children would be next. And the man still feared it now, even though the Ice-Jin had not been near the planet for the past five years and had only contacted them over monitors…the man smiled and looked up at the sun…it was five years to the day…

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"So Kakarott, are you ready to start your training sessions?" A voice asked from the corner of the room, peeking his head through the gap for the door. He smirked as he noticed his young brother trying, and failing, to change into his saiyan uniform.

"Big brother? Why do we have to wear these clothes? They look funny!"

The ten-year-old smirked at his brother's naivety and realised that he probably would have been beaten or worse if someone from the King's court had heard him say that.

"They are tradition Kakarott, now stop whining and hurry up…we won't be able to use this place for long!"

Kakarott's brother, Raditz, had taken it upon himself to begin the training session for the soon to be saiyan warrior. For a reason that Raditz still did not understand, his father seemed to be worried and had ordered Raditz to start Kakarott's training early so that he could be prepared for anything. Raditz's replies that any saiyan under the age of 5 and half was not allowed to battle fell on deaf ears…but Raditz decided to carry out his father's request anyway. He knew that it would not do himself any justice to argue with the general of the saiyan army.

"Alright I'm ready big brother," Kakarott said as he stepped out through the gap and into the middle of the room where Raditz was waiting for him, "Now what do I have to do?"

"Well Kakarott…our people are a race who conquer other planets for whatever they have of value. Therefore we all need to have fairly good fighting skills and Dad has made it my job to start your training which he will then finish."

"How long does the training last big brother 'coz I want to go outside and play later."

"Kakarott…the length depends on how quickly you pick up the skills…take me for example, I have finished all of my training now and it only took me four and a half years to complete it. Some people take longer, I have many friends who are still training now."

"Four and half years?!" Kakarott scratched the back of his head, "That's a long time big brother."

"Not as long as some others take Kakarott…like I said, the quicker you learn things the quicker you get through the programme. But I have to warn you, it is pretty intense."

"What does intense mean big brother?"

Raditz rolled his eyes and realised that he would probably have to tone his level of vocabulary down so that his younger brother could understand him, "It means that it will be difficult little brother. Are you up to the challenge?"

Kakarott jumped up and down on the spot, making the chest plate of his saiyan armour rise up with every jump, "Yep yep I sure am! It'll be fun!"

Raditz shook his head and wondered whether his little brother was really ready for it. Kakarott was still young and hadn't yet grasped the concept of how crucial it was, for them to survive, to learn how to fight properly. He knew that he shouldn't question his father's judgement…but…

'I guess if he doesn't do that well, I can always tell father…'

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Kakarott and Raditz's father, Bardock, rubbed his eyes and yawned. He was grateful for the small amount of time that he had to rest, the life of the general of the saiyan army was tough…he hardly ever slept as the planet always seemed to be fighting against one race or another.

He smiled as he thought about his young sons, fighting together and felt a surge of pride wash over him. Even though his youngest son had yet to accomplish anything significant, Bardock thought that his birth itself was a great accomplishment. At that point in time, Bardock was the head scientist on the planet Vegeta and had managed to be the first one to see his son. He had quickly managed to read the child's power level before anyone else did and was astonished to discover that Kakarott's level was five times the amount of a normal saiyan child. Knowing that this could cause rivalry between his sons, he kept this information to himself and swore that he would tell them when they were old enough to understand.

Thinking about his sons made Bardock think back to his partner…Rabenda and he sighed slightly. He knew that it was foolish to show any weakness but he did miss her so. Everytime he looked at Kakarott, he saw her eyes staring back at him…she would have been so proud to know about her son having the strongest power level for a baby ever known on the planet…

'He probably got that level from her,' he thought.

Wiping away a small tear that he started to trickle down his face, Bardock headed out towards the room where he knew his sons were practising. It was time to pay his partner a visit before they went home to celebrate Kakarott's 5th birthday.

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"Come on Kakarott, you've got to try harder then that!" Raditz shouted out as he floated just below the ceiling of the room.

"Aww…big brother that's not fair, you know I can't fly that high up yet!"

"Well you are going to have to try Kakarott if you want to get anywhere." Raditz shouted back down to the small boy. The ceiling was so high up that Kakarott looked like an ant to Raditz.

"Alright, I'll try but I don't think I will get anywhere!" Kakarott shouted back up to his brother.

Standing on a spot slightly to the left of where Raditz was floating, Kakarott closed his eyes, like he had been taught when he was younger, and concentrated on his ki energy. He slowly felt himself being lifted upwards but he did not open his eyes and instead just concentrated. Once he felt that he had reached a suitable height, he slowly opened his eyes and a huge smile crossed his face as he noticed how high he was, just a couple of feet below where Raditz was floating. Hearing footsteps walking across the floor, Kakarott looked down and smiled as he noticed his father looking up at him. However he did not realise that he was still floating upwards and despite a cry of warning coming from both his brother and his father, Kakarott collided with the ceiling.

Raditz flew over to his little brother quickly and grabbed him in a tight hug, "Are you alright Kakarott?" he asked, rubbing his brother's head. Kakarott nodded his head slightly and Raditz was surprised to see that there was not a single tear in his eyes or on his cheeks. His little brother was a brave one.

As the pair of them floated back to the ground, Raditz noted the smile on his father's face turn to a serious expression. "It's time again isn't it?" Raditz asked his father who nodded a reply.

Kakarott looked at his father and his smile quickly disappeared off his face. Even though he had not known his mother, he felt like he did from all the things his father had told him about her…everything from the way she looked to what she liked to eat. He knew that this was a serious and sombre occasion and knew not to laugh. Grabbing his father's hand and watching Raditz take the other, Kakarott slowly walked forward with the remainder of his family to go and visit the one whom they had lost five years ago.

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A.N. Hey guys I hope you like this chapter it took me ages to write! Don't forget to review please!