Here's another chapter, hope you enjoy it. This one has taken me a bit longer to write.

I don't own DBZ.

Two Halves of a Soul

Chapter 2: Awakenings


The sun spreads its rays of light over the dew covered ground just as Gohan awakens from his nightmare filled dreams. He lies there in bed for a while, feeling tired and drained of energy. Finally giving up on trying to get back to sleep he gets up and heads for the kitchen. He passes his parents room, now destined to be occupied by Chi-Chi alone, and sees that the door is still close. Assuming that she is still sleeping he continues down the hall.

Entering the kitchen he is surprised to see his mother sitting at the table. Her hands are wrapped around a, now cold, cup of coffee as she stares at a spot on the table as tears slowly fall from her eyes. As he looks in her eyes he sees that they are red, bloodshot, and puffy from crying all night. They also look hollow to him, as though there is no life behind them. That all the sorrow has been too much for her. And it is as if a fuse has blown, cutting off all emotion from her features.

"Kaa-san…" He says softly so as not to startle her.

She looks up at him with those tired eyes. "Gohan…" Is all she says before getting up from the table and wrapping her arms around him as she her tears begin to flood down her cheeks and on to Gohan. "Your home…my baby's home…I was so worried about you…when Goku died I…I…"

Gohan, tears coming from his own eyes, wraps his arms around her as mother and son comfort each other. "It's ok Kaa-san, I'm safe…Cell's gone and we're all safe."

They stand there for several minutes just holding each other in silence. Suddenly a low rumble spreads through out the room. "You must be hungry. Have you eaten since breakfast yesterday? I'll make you something." Chi-Chi says as she wipes away her tears while going to start cooking.

"That's ok Kaa-san. I'll get it. Why don't you go lay down?" Gohan says, thinking that it would be best.

Chi-Chi starts crying again, "My baby doesn't need me any more…he's all grown up…"

Upon seeing the way his mother is acting Gohan purposely burns some of the food. "I guess I don't quite have the hang of this…could you help me with this Kaa-san?" He asks.

Chi-Chi's demeanor brightens some at hearing this. She quickly takes the spatula from her son and starts cooking. Soon Gohan is sitting at the table as she does all the cooking. Before long Chi-Chi sits a large plate of food in front of Gohan. He eats it at a surprisingly sedate pace, a second and third plate of food soon follow. But after the third plate he tells his mother that he is full. Chi-Chi looks at him, a worried expression on her face.

"I'm fine…I'm just not that hungry today." He says, seeing the way she is looking at him.

"Ok…" She says as she feels his forehead. Chi-Chi then goes and washes the dishes as Gohan goes outside.

He sits under a tree that is not to far from his home and looks off into the distance, thinking about his father. Several minutes pass and Gohan does not notice his mother approach him. He glances up when her shadow falls across him, and she can see the tears streaming down his cheeks. "Why…why didn't I listen to Tou-san? If I would have then he would be here right now. It's my fault he's dead." Gohan says in a low voice, his mother is just barley able to hear him.

Chi-Chi sits beside her son and pulls him into her arms. "Shh…don't talk like that. It's not your fault; your father and I don't blame you. You did what you thought was best, what you thought was right. We may miss him dearly but he is never truly gone as long as you remember him." Chi-Chi as tears stream down from her eyes as well.

~*~

Videl awakens she hears the sound of rain hitting her window. She rolls over and tries to get back to sleep, but the rain, usually having a calming effect, only served to remind her of the tears that she shed the day before. Remembering why she cried so much causes her tears to start up again. The drops of moisture fall to her damp pillow. As she is lying there she can smell someone cooking breakfast, and her stomach promptly rumbles its protest at not having anything in it since yesterday's breakfast. After getting out of bed Videl goes down the hall to the bathroom where she washes her face, brushes her teeth, and combs her hair so that it is not sticking out in every direction. Feeling somewhat refreshed she leaves the bathroom and heads to the kitchen, deciding to put her hair into its usual pigtails later. When she passes the living room she can see her father asleep in the recliner, seeing the bottle and glass on the table beside him and takes them into the kitchen. As she turns to continue on to the kitchen she sees a picture in her father's lap. She picks it up and silent tears instantly well up and fall from her eyes upon seeing the moment captured on the piece of paper. It is the same photo her father had been looking at, the one taken just after the tournament. For the young girl it is one of her happiest memories even though it is one of her most recent.

Upon entering the kitchen she sees Olivia preparing breakfast. "How did you sleep dear?" The woman asks as she sees Videl's tired appearance.

"Not very well…I had some bad dreams last night…"

"What's wrong? Besides…" She says, not bothering to finish the comment.

"The picture that was taken after Dad won the tournament…I was just remembering how happy we were that day…and how proud Momma seemed of us."

"I'm sure she was very proud of you both." Olivia says softly as she wipes a tear from Videl's cheek. "Now here, you need to eat. I don't think you've had anything since I yesterday." She says as she places a plate full of food on the table.

Videl forgets her sorrows for the moment as she quickly eats every scrap on the plate then asks for more hash browns and eggs. Olivia stares at her in shock. 'She must be REALLY hungry…' She thinks as she places the requested items on Videl's plate. Videl eats the food at a more sedate pace, and after finishing it she gets up from the table. Olivia busies herself with the dishes and does not notice Videl grand a couple of pieces of toast.

When she enters the living room she sees her father still sleeping in the chair. She turns the TV on low, but instead of watching it she looses herself in her thoughts. Soon tears are flowing from her eyes once again.

~*~

In a back corner of a dingy bar on a strange alien world sits a being cast in shadow. This thing seems to exude the shadows from his very being. As though his very form cast out darkness like the lamps on the walls cast out their pale light. A large figure in a hooded cloak approaches the thing in the corner. As the figure passes one of the lamps a man sitting at a table sees the face hidden by the hood. The man recoils in disgust upon seeing the vicious scars that become visible for a brief second.

"I was told that you will pay handsomely for any information regarding ways to bring people back from the dead." The cloaked figure says, his voice gruff and filled with pain.

The being in the shadows nods, the movement barely noticeable in the darkness surrounding him, as he dumps several large gems onto the table before him. "These are yours if I like what I hear. But first, remove your cloak and tell me about yourself and how you came about this information. I like to know a little about who I'm…doing business with." The shadowy figure says, its voice sending chills up the cloaked figure's spine.

Upon hearing the being in the corner speak most of those in the leave for this is not the first time they have heard this conversation.

The man removes his cloak, revealing a face that appeared to have been severely burned at some point in the past. Those who stayed wish they had not as they look upon the twisted scars adorning what they can see of the man's body. "My name is Nappa, I am a Saiya-jin and the strongest being in the universe. And as to how I acquired the information…years ago I accompanied another Saiya-jin, Vegeta, to a planet called Earth. While there the bastard tired to kill me. I managed to dodge his attack, but the resulting blast left me as you see before you…"

"That's enough about you. Tell me the information." 'Damn fool…' The shadowy figure thinks.

Nappa stares at the figure. 'The fool doesn't know who he's messing with…' He thinks before continuing on. "We were there in search of something called Dragon Balls. These balls have the power to grant someone any wish the desire. Riches, immortality, even for someone to be restored to life."

"Yes…this sounds promising…tell me…where is this Earth?"

"No way. I am not a fool. You shall pay me for the information then I will give you this disk. It has all the information you need. And I suggest you not try to force me to hand it over for I have attained the legendary form of Super Saiya-jin." Nappa says as he holds a small computer disk in his hand.

"Very well." The figure in the corner says as he shoves the gems towards Nappa. Nappa hands over the disk and picks up the gems, then turns to leave. "There is just one thing you forgot my dear Nappa." The dark figure says coolly.

"And that is?" Nappa asks, turning back to the man.

"That no matter how strong you are, there is ALWAYS someone stronger then you." The figure says as he disappears only to reappear before Nappa.

"FOOL!" Nappa shouts as he quickly powers up. His eyes turn a fiery blue-green, and if he had hair it would have been gold in color. After transforming he quickly grabs the man's throat. But it feels strange in Nappa's hand; it feels cold and unyielding as though the man's throat is made of metal and not flesh. He squeezes the man's throat with all his strength but the man just laughs at him.

The man grabs Nappa's wrist and squeezes causing a loud snap to reverberate off the tavern walls. Nappa's scream of pain can be heard for several blocks and causes some to run in fear. After releasing his hold on Nappa's wrist the man tosses him across the room.

"Wha…what are you?" Nappa asks, fear evident in his voice, as he gets up off the floor and cradles his shattered wrist against his chest.

"Even though you are not worthy of such knowledge I will tell you anyway. My name is Bishamon, and I am the one who is going to kill you." At this he thrusts his hand through Nappa's stomach. As he pulls his arm out blood and entrails spill out onto the floor.

"How…how can this be…I am the legendary Super Saiya…" Nappa never gets the chance to finish as his last breath escapes his lungs to mix with the stale air of the bar.

"You are the first I have met with such power. You shall make an excellent servant." Bishamon says as he drags Nappa's corpse behind him. Blood continues to spill from the wound making a clear trail for someone to follow. But none are so foolish as to follow the man. And instead, they quickly clean up the mess the man leaves in his wake.

~*~

"Master!" Kabito calls out as he rushes through the Supreme Kai's palace, the sound of his boots echoing off the marble surfaces of the hallway.

"Yes Kabito, what is it?" Shin asks as he looks up from a report.

"I have grave news regarding Bishamon." He says, slightly out of breath from his sprint through the halls.

"Bishamon? The last Gamapheloa-jin? I'm surprised he is still alive. So what is the problem."

"It appears that he has found a possible way to bring back his race."

"WHAT? Are you certain?" Shin says, forgetting the report on Babidi.

"Yes master, he has learned of something called Dragon Balls, they have the power to grant someone any wish they desire."

"This is not good…not good at all. With the Hunaiyasma-jin no longer alive we may be unable to stop him."

"Sir, forgive me, but are you positive that there are none still living? Maybe one escaped like…"

"No…even if one did survive it would do us no good. It requires two…and not just any two."

"But surely there must be some…"

"Regrettably there are none…long ago the Hunaiyasma-jin split into two races, the Saiya-jins and the Humans, so that their immense power would diffused. And many years the Saiya-jins were wiped out, and as far as I know there are none left. And as for the humans…they are the weaker of the two and can not help us. Now, did you learn of which planet these Dragon Balls are from?"

"Yes master, they are from a planet called Earth."

"Earth…which quadrant is that planet in?"

"Earth is in the north quadrant sir." Kabito answers after looking it up in a large book set off to the side of the room.

"Good, the Saiya-jins and Humans are from that quadrant. Go and find see if you can find any information that will aid us. I shall go and talk to the North Kai about the situation and about the Hunaiyasma-jin, Saiya-jins, and Humans…he should know more about them then we do."

"Yes master." Kabito says as he leaves the room.

~*~

Shin nears the location of the North Kai's planet only to find that it is not there and that the North Kai is nowhere in sight. Puzzled by this he goes to King Enma. After questioning the large man he learns that the North Kai has been killed and that he is on the Grand Kai's planet. Shortly after reaching the planet he learns that a tournament is being held in honor of the North Kai's death. He quickly makes his way to the Grand Kai's mansion and to the area held within its walls.

Upon entering the arena Kabito sees a man in an orange gi fighting a large caterpillar like being. 'Boring…neither of those two is that strong.' He thinks as he approaches the Grand Kai.

"Grand Kai." Shin says as he approaches the man. The Grand Kai turns and looks at him.

"Lo…Lord Shin. I am honored by your presence." The gray haired man says, surprised at the appearance of the Supreme Kai.

"I have come because Bishamon has found a way to bring his race back from the dead, and I must speak with the North Kai. Do you know where he is?" Shin asks.

"Yes, he is over there by the ring watching the fight." The Grand Kai says as he points to the North Kai.

"Thank you." Shin says simply as turns and leaves. He quickly walks through the stadium halls and soon arrives at the North Kai's location.

The North Kai sees Shin emerge from one of the doorways and pales slightly. 'I guess those prank calls weren't such a good idea after all…' He thinks as Shin walks in his direction. "I…I'm sorry. I didn't think that anyone would notice…" North Kai says as he falls to his knees in front of the Supreme Kai.

"I have no idea what you are blabbering about. Stand up and quit acting like an idiot." Shin says, annoyed with the Kai's behavior.

"Yes…sorry." North Kai says as he jumps to his feet. "Say…did you hear the one about the….."

"Now is not the time for jokes." Shin says coldly. "Do you remember who Bishamon is?"

The Kai pales as he remembers everything that he knows on the man. "Yes sir, of course. How could any Kai not know of him."

"Good. Now, he has learned of the Dragon Balls that exist on Earth. Bishamon intends to use them in order to restore his race."

"Bishamon…Earth…Dragon Balls…this is not good. I will keep an eye out for any suspicious activity. Anything else?"

"Yes. We may not be able to stop Bishamon. The only ones that are a match for him and his race are the Hunaiyasma-jin, but they are long dead…"

"Hunaiyasma-jin…now why does that sound familiar…" The Kai says as he puts his hand to his chin in thought.

"The Hunaiyasma-jin were once the only race besides the Gamapheloa-jin. And long ago they split into two races, the Saiya-jins and the Humans. Sadly, with the Saiya-jins now and extinct race there is no hope of there being any Hunaiyasma-jin being alive."

"Excuse me sir, but you are mistaken. Not all the Saiya-jins are dead. There were three still alive, but two recently died leaving only one. The man in the ring is one of them in fact one of the Saiya-jins who just died."

Shin looks into the ring and sees the man in orange again. "That man is strong, but he is not stronger then I."

The North Kai just smirks at him. "Supreme Kai, sir, you are seeing but a small fraction of his power. At his maximum his power would dwarf yours."

"You can't be serious. That's…that's not possible…"

'If the Kai is right then there may be a little hope…' "Hmm…very well. Anyway, you said that TWO have died. Who's the second?"

"Oh…I almost forgot. See the woman right up there?" The Kai asks as he points to a woman in the crowd of spectators. Shin nods. "That's her.

"She's a Saiya-jin? But she is so weak." Shin says, his disbelief clearly evident in his voice as he inspects the woman.

"Yes she is weak. There was an accident when she was but a baby. It left her as you see. But perhaps someone with Kabito's healing abilities could repair the damage that was done to her, allowing her to then reach her full potential."

"I will see to it that Kabito does what he can for her. But simply having a handful of Saiya-jins, even incredibly strong ones, is not enough to fight the coming threat. For we only have seven years to prepare for Bishamon's arrival on Earth, and that is not enough time for the Hunaiyasma-jin to be reborn."

"No, there may be time enough…for there are several that have been born in recent years. And two of them may be able to put an end to Bishamon's plans. I will see if they can suit our needs. I'll let you know if there is anything I need help with sir."

"I hope you are correct North Kai. Or else we are all in serious danger." At that Shin turns and leaves, going back to his own planet to take care of a few things.


Well the last half of this chapter was to kind of get things rolling.

At this point you can probably guess at some of the things I will have happen. And if you would like to you can put your guesses in your reviews. ^_^ (ß Clear evidence that I've spent way too much time chatting on AIM…lol.)

Please Review.


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