Neo-Saiyans

by Night Hunter MGS

Author Notes: (singing) They're coming to take me away, hee hee, ha ha, ho ho, to the Funny Farm! Where life is beautiful all day long and I'll be happy to see those nice young men in their clean white coats, they're coming to take me awaaayyyyyy.... (author is dog piled, heavily sedated, forced into an industrial strength strait jacket, and thrown into the nearest padded room) Oh well, it was only a matter of time before it happened. Anyway, thanks to all those who reviewed this fic... all three of you, and thanks for the nice comments mom... and be sure to read my other stories on my author's page.

Disclaimer: I no own, you no sue, 'cause I'll beat you bloody if you do.

Chapter 4: The End of One Quest, the Beginning of Another

Tenchi stood bathing in the dawn's early light. Usually he slept in unless his grandfather insisted upon early morning training, but after the events of last night, he felt… restless. In one night, his entire point of view had been turned upside down and altered. He wasn't who he'd thought he was. True, that had already happened when he first learned the "truth" about his Juraian heritage, but to lose every sense of your heritage for a second time was just too much. If it weren't for the fact that he'd gotten a brother and sister out of the deal…

The pony tailed young man smiled as the sun's rays began to sparkle against the lake's crystal waters. He'd always felt like there was something missing in his life, and now he knew what it was. He was missing the twin brother and little sister that he never knew he had. After just one night of getting to know them, Tenchi loved Ryouga and Kagome dearly and knew that he wouldn't be able to be without them ever again. Hearing the rustle of leaves behind him, Tenchi turned to see his brother emerging from the woods. "Morning Ryouga, couldn't sleep?"

The bandannaed martial artist shook his head, stretching out his arms as he jogged in place. "I always get up close to dawn to train. Same with Ranma."

Hearing the name, Tenchi frowned slightly and turned back towards the lake. "Brother, is it true that they haven't even known each other for an entire month yet?"

Finishing his stretches, Ryouga moved up next to his newfound twin and admired the sparkling water, kissed by the sun's early rays. "Yes, that's true."

"But they got married last night! That's insane, marrying not even a month after they first met!"

Ryouga just shrugged. "Hey, they'd already mated, so last night was just the legal part of it, to satisfy the paper pushers and bureaucrats. I know what you're saying, but our kind seems to be the sort to act quickly and decisively on our emotions, using our hearts and instincts more than our logical minds. And what does it matter anyway? They're happy, and there's nobody that I'd rather have marry my little sister than Ranma. He may be indecisive in some things, but deep down he's the most honorable, noble person I know, and he'll stand by his mate no matter what."

Tenchi nodded thoughtfully. "You're right, bro. They really are a truly lovely couple, I'm just worried about imouto getting her heart broken, but if Ranma's even half as honorable as you say he is then that probably won't happen, especially if what Tsunami hinted at was true."

"You mean when she hinted that Kagome was pregnant? Yeah, I know what you mean; Ranma would never leave the woman he had a child with. By the way, remind me to hike into the nearest town and buy her some pregnancy tests. I just don't quite trust that Washu character."

The former Juraian prince laughed as he slapped his twin brother on the back. "Good instincts bro! Washu's really a nice person, but she does get a bit carried away in the name of science."

The twins shared a friendly grin, reveling in the presence of being with each other, as they were always meant to be. Ryouga cracked his knuckles and turned to his brother with a challenging grin. "So, up for a spar bro?"

Normally, Tenchi didn't really enjoy fighting, but… when Ryouga asked him if he wanted to spar, with that smirk that spoke of challenge, the urge to fight and conquer burned within his veins. Nodding, Tenchi ran over to the equipment shed where he kept his bokken, his excitement at the coming challenge growing with every step. Within a matter of minutes, he stood across from his newly discovered twin, his bokken held in a ready position. Since Tenchi seemed to be a weapon user without any real unarmed fighting skills, Ryouga had decided to use his umbrella, to make it a fair weapon to weapon fight. At an unspoken signal, the two charged for one another, weapons held at the ready. Tenchi slashed at Ryouga's side, only to have his wooden blade blocked and pushed back by Ryouga's umbrella while the bandannaed martial artist brought his free hand up to deliver a hammer blow to Tenchi's head. Most men's skulls would have been shattered at such a blow, but even before he learned that he was a Saiyan Tenchi wasn't like most men. Fighting through the pain, Tenchi got to his knees and rolled away before Ryouga could bring his umbrella's tip under Tenchi's chin, a sign of victory. Standing shakily, Tenchi gazed warily at his opponent determined not to underestimate his twin again. Ryouga nodded in satisfaction. "Good recovery, Tenchi. Even Ranma would have been dazed for a second from that hit, and you recovered just as quickly as he would have. You're skilled with a sword, but you should learn more unarmed techniques."

Tenchi nodded in simple agreement with his brother's analysis. He felt his blood burn and unbridled joy surging through his body at the sting of battle. Trying to stall Ryouga long enough so that he could get a good idea of his brother's weak spots, Tenchi decided to talk with him, try to get him to brag a little. "You're faster than you look, niichan. And that umbrella of yours is also more than it appears to be. Tell me, what is it made of?"

A fanged smirk showed Ryouga's pleasure that Tenchi was able to catch on so quickly. Most people had to actually try and lift his umbrella before they realized that it wasn't made of ordinary bamboo and cloth. "Very good, brother. You caught on even faster than Ranma did when we first fought in Nerima. The inner stalk of the bamboo shaft is reinforced with tempered steel alloy and filled with mercury to give it an immense swinging power. The tip is made of a marble-sized ball of depleted uranium covered in about two inches of heavy lead. The spokes are painted to look like wood but are really solid titanium, and the cloth is interwoven with steel thread. Taking it all into account, this umbrella weighs over seven hundred pounds and can crush the front plate of an American main battle tank. Sorry pal, but I'm afraid that you're outclassed."

Holding his bokken, Tenchi frowned even as he felt his being burn brighter and brighter. He would not be defeated; he refused to accept losing, but how to defeat his more experienced brother? True, he'd defeated Kagato, sent various space pirates running, and even survived the pull of a black hole. But Ryouga had fought every single day with all that he had for his entire life, while Tenchi only fought occasionally and in practice sessions with his grandfather. As a result, Ryouga had much more practical experience than his brother and it was already showing in this apparently one-sided match. Frantically searching for some weakness, Tenchi's eyes paused on Ryouga's umbrella, and a plan formed instantly within Tenchi's mind. Smiling, he motioned for his brother to come at him. Confident in his victory, Ryouga charged forward, intending to finish Tenchi off with one attack. Suddenly Tenchi sprung into motion, rolling to the side and kneeling. With a power and skill that spoke of a mastery with the sword, Tenchi's blade lashed out twice in the blink of an eye, striking the back of Ryouga's knees and sending him sprawling into the dusty ground. Spitting out a mouthful of soil, Ryouga wobbled unsteadily to his feet as he growled at Tenchi. "Just what the hell did you do?!"

Smirking, Tenchi stood up casually, his bokken resting on his shoulder. "Simple, brother. Your style relies upon your upper body strength and heavy blows while your toughness and endurance soaks up the damage done to you. However, such a style puts a lot of strain and reliance on your legs in order to brace yourself and throw a hard punch or to keep yourself steady while you swing that incredibly heavy umbrella of yours. And because you rely mostly on punches and upper body attacks you leave your legs relatively undefended even though they're so essential to the successful use of your techniques. In other words, I attacked your weak spot."

Growling, Ryouga cried out in rage and sprung at his brother, Tenchi surging forward as well with eyes shining in battle lust. For a straight two minutes, the two warriors gave it everything they had as their weapons clashed, their muscles burned, and their Saiyan blood pumped ever harder in their veins, their heritage coming to the forefront for everyone to see. Finally, with a final blow to Tenchi's ribs and a sharp smack to Ryouga's head, the two fighters fell to their knees exhausted and panting for breath, but glorying in the feel of battle. For the first time, they understood what it was to be Saiyan, and they liked it. Suddenly talking could be heard from the nearby forest, and out emerged Ranma and Kagome, with both hands and tails intertwined. Seeing the state that his mate's brothers were in, Ranma sniffed the air and smiled. "I see that you two have been sparring, and that it woke up your heritage."

The two of them nodded, with Tenchi speaking first. "Yeah, that was incredible!"

"You said it brother! Ranma, Tenchi is amazing with a sword! He makes Kuno look like an infant waving around a toothpick with his feet and hands stuck in concrete!"

Kagome beamed, delighted that both of her older brothers were getting along. Seeing Tenchi's curious stare, she couldn't help but blush a little. "What is it niichan?"

"Well imouto, I'm wondering just what you and Ranma are doing out so early."

Crimson filling her cheeks, Kagome fidgeted around nervously, brushing leaves out of her hair and dress while Ranma chuckled and scratched at the back of his scalp. "Uhmmm, well… niichan… Ranma-kun and I DID get married last night… by the way anata, are you sure about having rushed the ceremony like that?"

Ranma just laughed as he hugged Kagome firmly. "Koi, trust me, this was for the best. I can just see my mother now. 'Oh, you eloped, my son is so manly!' Trust me on this, it was much better this way. If we prepared the wedding then all the nuts from Nerima and that Inu-Yasha character would come and interfere."

"You're right Ranma, it was better that we did this quickly and quietly. Besides, it was just a formality, mate. Well, uhmmm, anyway… Like I said, Ranma and I did get married last night, and… well… we didn't want to wake anyone."

Ryouga and Tenchi just stared at the blushing and satisfied looking couple as their younger sister's words were slowly absorbed into their brains. Turning to Ryouga, Tenchi blinked once before speaking in a false whisper, loud enough for the other two Saiyans to clearly hear him. "Well, I guess you'd better see about getting those pregnancy tests for her soon, bro."

The two laughed as Kagome stood there in embarrassed shock, Ranma looking helpless, not sure what to do. With a yell, Kagome pushed her two brothers into the lake in retaliation, remembering too late about how Ryouga told her about his own curse. As if in slow motion, the two brothers fell into the crystal waters, Ryouga's face a mask of resigned depression before they were enveloped within the icy waters and cold geysers of liquid marked their impact. When the waters cleared, they showed a sputtering Tenchi, and… Ranma and Kagome just stared, shocked to their very cores, as the pigtailed martial artist whispered in surprise. "Ryouga?"

Soaked, the fanged martial artist looked unhappily at his sister and her mate. "Yeah, what do you want… Ran… ma…."

Shocked, Ryouga looked down at himself before patting down his whole body, praying that this wasn't a dream. Kneeling in the water, he could only stare at his equally shocked siblings and best friend, stammering in disbelief. "B-bu-but, how?"

Experimentally, Ranma approached the water, splashing his face and the front of his chest with icy water. Looking down, he saw nothing but a flat, firm male chest, and there wasn't the sense of something important missing like there always was when he turned female. Throwing his hopes to the wind, Ranma jumped in as far as he could go, standing up next to Ryouga. Still no change. Ranma stood stunned, before shock turned to joy and he started spinning Kagome around happily. Turning to Ryouga, they began discussing just why this had happened, while Tenchi just watched on, only knowing about the Jusenkyo curse from what his brother and brother-in-law had described last night. Excitedly, Ranma and Ryouga talked amongst each other, with Kagome occasionally letting her opinion be known. "Ryouga! Man, what happened?!"

"How should I know?! All I know is that we're cured!"

"Yeah, but how?"

"Hey, anata, I remember how often in the past I wouldn't be affected by things that would harm normal humans because of my powers, especially certain magical spells and curses. What if this is similar? What if your Saiyan power being unlocked drove out the magic of Jusenkyo, because your power was just too strong for it now?"

"Hey, that's great thinking Kagome-chan! No wonder I married you, cute, strong, and smart."

"But what about me imouto? My Saiyan heritage hasn't been fully unlocked yet."

In answer, Kagome reached into the water and pulled out a dark brown tail, similar in color to her own. Ryouga stared at it in wonder as he traced the appendage back to his spine. "Your heritage had already been awoken both by your fights with Ranma and by meeting me, the fight with Tenchi must have been so intense that it fully awoke your Saiyan blood! Anata, niichan, you're cured!"

For nearly an hour, the otherwise peaceful forest resounded with the sounds of cheerful shouts and happy rejoicing.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Tenchi walked through the forest in a new set of nice, dry clothes. Kagome had asked to speak with him, Ryouga, and Ranma in about an hour or so at the shrine. That gave the former prince some much needed time to think about the latest developments in the soap opera known as his life. How would being a Saiyan affect him? Would it change who he was? And most importantly, how would it affect his relationship with the girls? As if conjured by his thoughts, a pair of slender but strong arms wrapped around him from behind, and a familiar and comforting scent filled his nostrils. But this time there was something different about that scent, something that excited him and made his blood boil. He knew what his instincts were telling him to do, but could he? Could he hurt Ayeka, Tsunami, Mihoshi, and the others? Did the woman who just phased in out of thin air really mean that much to him? Did he love Ryoko? Inside his mind, Ryouga's words, spoken earlier in reference to Kagome and Ranma's relationship, came to the forefront.

"...Our kind seems to be the sort to act quickly and decisively on our emotions, relying more on our hearts and instincts than our logical minds. And what does it matter anyway? They're happy..."

Could he be happy with Ryoko? He didn't need his instincts to find the answer that he'd always known in his heart; yes. Shrugging his shoulders to loosen her grip upon him, Tenchi spun around and captured her lips with his, bearing Ryoko down to the forest floor with his sudden ferocity and passion as he let instinct take over. Ryoko's eyes widened as she felt Tenchi's arms tighten about her waist and his tongue dancing within her mouth, before finally succumbing to his ministrations and responding in kind. They stayed locked in desperate embrace for several long minutes, pouring all of their longing, frustration, desire, and hope accumulated over the years into that single hug and kiss speaking of promise and wonderful things to come, before they finally broke apart gasping for air. The former space pirate looked into Tenchi's eyes, hope and fear flitting across her features as she whispered out a single question. "Why?"

Tenchi kept her gaze locked with his own, eyes burning with passion, desire, and love. "I'm just doing something I should have done years ago, something that I only fully understood once I found out who I truly am. I love you, Ryoko."

The four little words that she'd desperately wanted to hear for so long, so why did she feel a pain in her heart? Was she just not good enough for Tenchi like Ayeka always was saying? How could this wonderful, caring young man love an old, crude space pirate with the blood of millions of innocents on her unwilling hands? Turning away from his gaze, she closed her eyes and let tears streak across her cheeks onto the soft green grass. "How can you mean that? I'm just a withered old lady, young on the outside but ancient on the inside. You'd be much better off with Ayeka, or Mihoshi, or..."

A tender kiss silenced Ryoko's depressed tirade, and she once again looked up into Tenchi's eyes, still shining with love... for her. "I know that I wouldn't be better off with any of them Ryoko, because none of them are you."

With that, Tenchi reached up and gently caressed her cheek before moving his hand gently down her neck and across her shoulder, tugging away the fabric there and leaving her neck and shoulder exposed. Leaning forward across her prone form, he kissed and carefully licked the spot where her neck met the shoulder, before tenderly digging his canines into her flesh and lapping up the blood that welled up from the bite wound. Ryoko's eyes once again went wide before filling with tears. She'd heard from Kagome about how she and Ranma became mated, and knew the significance of this event and the full meaning behind Tenchi's instinctual actions. Rising from his work, he stared again into her eyes, conviction and determination radiating from his face. "I've marked you Ryoko, to show that I am now bound to you. I love you, and that will never change. Even if you reject me and choose another, I'll still be yours and nobody else's. I promise."

In response, Ryoko just leaned forward and kissed him, her lips blazing with passion and love. As she kissed him, Ryoko copied his motions by loosening the fabric on his shoulders before breaking contact with his lips, kissing and nipping lightly at his shoulder, tenderizing the flesh before biting down into it and licking away his blood just as he had done for her. It was finished, and the couple that had always been meant to be shared a laugh of joy together before locking lips once again.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Kagome sat in the small shrine snuggled up to her mate while watching her brother meditate as they all waited for Tenchi to show up. What was keeping him anyway? As if in answer to the unspoken question, the door slid open to reveal Tenchi and Ryoko holding hands, their clothes rumpled and enormous grins covering their faces. Kagome's immediate suspicion was confirmed when she saw a tail the color of milk chocolate snaking it's way around Ryoko's waist from Tenchi's spine. With a delighted yell, she flung herself at her new sister in law and hugged her tightly while Ranma and Ryouga walked over to Tenchi and slapped him on the back, offering their congratulations.

After the brief celebration was concluded, they sat down once again on the shrine's tatami mats, the mated couples nestled together in each other's arms and Ryouga sitting off by a small distance. Breaking free of her husband's embrace, Kagome stood and addressed the others. "You all know the story behind my trips to the past, and why I'm seeking the Shikon Jewel and trying to kill the demon Naraku. I know that father told us to seek out the others, but I feel that I need to complete my quest first. One of my friends might die any day unless Naraku is destroyed. So, I've got to give this a priority. Just wait for me, I should be done within a month, you can just stay here..."

"Not happening, mate."

Ranma's words broke through her own, only to be rapidly followed by Ryouga's, Tenchi's, and Ryoko's. "Sis, you don't seriously think that I found you just to let you go off on a quest of this magnitude alone, do you?"

"Yeah imouto, we're family. Family sticks together."

"What they said, kid. Besides, if you could finish this thing in a month, then the five of us working together could have it done inside of a week."

Silent, joyful tears slowly crawled down Kagome's cheeks. What had she done in this life to deserve the love and support of these people, all of whom she'd known for less than a month? Smiling, she decided to accept their support. After all, if she was any indication then once a Saiyan decided to do something then nothing would keep them from doing it. "Alright everybody... and, thank you. We'll leave in a week."

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Katsuhito Masaki, the man formerly known as Yosho, the crown prince of Jurai, sighed as he watched his adopted grandson sparring with his new family. It was hard to believe the progress that they had all made in just one short week, it was like a lifetime of memories and instincts had suddenly been unleashed within them. With the help of himself, Washu, and Ryoko, the four Saiyans had progressed to a level where they were a match for any attack that he or Ryoko could produce. Flight, energy shields, ki blasts, and more were quickly mastered by all. But more than that, Katsuhito was surprised at how his grandson had mastered his own destiny. Sure, it was saddening to see his beloved sister Ayeka get her heart broken for a second time, but she was still young by Juraian standards and would surely find someone, as would the other girls who'd found themselves drawn to Tenchi. Seeing him spar with Ryoko, their two bodies moving as one, he knew that Tenchi had made the right choice, that this was where his grandson belonged and who he belonged with. Still, it was painful, letting him go.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Kagome's grandfather nearly had a heart attack when he saw his beloved granddaughter swoop down out of the sky with a prehensile tail waving behind her, followed closely by four people he'd never seen before who also had tails. In less than a second, Kagome was in front of him, bouncing up and down in excitement while babbling out a veritable stream of information. "Grandpa, grandpa, guess what? I found my brother, but while I was looking for him I met this really great guy, and then it turned out that they were sort of enemies, but then my brother showed up and they managed to settle things between them, and I was so happy and started dating the guy I met in secret since there were so many people who also wanted to date him, but then Inu-Yasha showed up and we had an argument, and he attacked me which made the guy go berserk, and it turns out that I'm an alien and so is he, and we sort of... got together, and we're very happy together, and then I found out that I had another brother, and we found him and there were lots of girls after him as well, and while we were at the shrine my other brother lives at me and my new boyfriend got married, and my brother married one of the girls who were interested in him, and these are my brother's Ryouga and Tenchi, this is Tenchi's wife Ryoko, and this is my husband, Ranma!"

"Er, uhmm, nice to meet you... grandfather-in-law."

The old man nodded silently before slowly falling over backwards in a dead faint.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

"YOU INSOLENT YOUNG WHIPPERSNAPPER!!!! HOW DARE YOU SEDUCE OUR PURE AND INNOCENT KAGOME!?!!??!!!"

"Grandpa, stop throttling him! Besides, I'm sort of the one who did the seducing..."

"Oh, my precious little girl is growing up! I'm going to be a grandmother!"

"Mom, stop embarrassing me!"

"No offense Kagome-chan, but you think that my mother's weird?"

"Wow, so you're really married to my sister?! You're way cooler than Inu-Yasha!"

"What the...? Anata, get your little brother off of my arm!"

"Hey bro, should we stop this?"

"What, and miss the live entertainment? Come on Ryouga, sit back and relax!"

"Tenchi, pass me the popcorn and sake!"

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Kagome stood before the old well, staring into it's depths. So many adventures had begun right here, and soon the most important adventure of all, the destruction of Naraku, would begin. And once it was over... she would no longer come to this place, she would never again travel to the past and have fantastic if terrifying adventures with her friends. She'd known that it wouldn't last, that she belonged in her world and they belonged in theirs, that they were only brought together by the hunt for the Shikon no Tama and for Naraku, but they were still her closest and dearest friends, even Inu-Yasha despite all of the times he'd broken her heart. It didn't matter anymore, as soon as her business in the past was finished she'd put that part of her aside and begin anew, a new life with new adventures and new responsibilities.

Her eyes drifted away from the well to the handful of pregnancy tests she held, all of them showing positive. It still didn't seem quite real, but it was. She was going to be a mother. Kagome felt a presence behind her, and turned to face Ranma, the man that she'd been able to call husband for only a week. "When were you planning on telling me, Kagome-chan?"

"I... I'm not sure... I just found out myself.... My mother insisted on getting me a bunch of these tests before we left for the past, you see... How'd you know, anyway?"

The pigtailed Saiyan just shrugged nonchalantly, seemingly unaffected by the news of his imminent parenthood. "Your scent had changed, the others noticed as well. When Ryoko found the package for a pregnancy test in the garbage, we put two and two together. It's as simple as that."

"Oh..."

Before she could say anything else, she was in her husband's arms, Ranma nuzzling her neck and inhaling the scent of her hair. Ranma wouldn't admit it to her, but he was scared... no, not scared, terrified. Everything was just happening so fast, sometimes it seemed too fast. He met the long lost sister of his best friend and rival, fell in love with her, made love to her, married her, and now she was going to bear his child, all this taking place in just over a month. And what right did he have to be a father, what with all of the people still out for his blood and the poor role model of Genma growing up? How could he hope to raise a child the way they were meant to be raised? Still, despite how fast it had happened, he knew in the depths of his heart that he truly loved Kagome. She was his friend, lover, confident, ally, and now she would be the mother of his children. He loved her, and knew that he would also love their child, the physical proof of his and Kagome's love. In the end, wasn't love all that really mattered?

Looking into her eyes, Ranma managed the roguish smile that had captured the hearts of dozens of women over the years, granting his young bride a sense of reassurance as he spoke. "I... I didn't have the most normal upbringing, Kagome... I... I don't know... If I have any right, bringing a child into the world, when I have no idea how to be a father. I know that we're young, and that this will be difficult. I mean, we've only been married a week, and you're already expecting... But, I can promise you this, I'll never leave you, and I'll be the best father I can. If nothing else, you and our child will know that I love both of you dearly. I swear it."

Kagome cupped his chin in her hands and brought his lips to hers briefly in a short but passionate kiss, staring deeply into his eyes. "That's all that I want or need, mate. Thank you... for understanding, for accepting this. Now, let's get the others, we have a job to do."

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

First, there was a rapid dropping sensation, as though they were plummeting down in an elevator. Then, a brilliant blue light surrounded them as they seemed to almost float through time and space. Finally, there they were, at the bottom of the dry and dusty well. The only sign that they were no longer in their own time was the smell of fresh, unspoiled forest, with no car fumes, oils from fast food restaurants, or other modern scents to clog their nostrils. It was also silent except for the quiet chirp of cicadas and the rustle of leaves in the wind, an impossible feat for a place supposed to be in the center of Tokyo. As one, the five levitated to the top of the shaft, soaking in the beautiful sight of Japan's forests as they appeared five hundred years ago. Moving into action, Kagome, Tenchi, and Ryoko sat upon the soft grass in meditation, sending their senses out in a search for any powerful presences as Ranma and Ryouga made sure that their supplies, carefully stored in a backpack with a pocket dimension inside of it courtesy of Washu, were prepared and ready for use. After a few minutes, the three meditating Saiyans opened their eyes and stood up, each reporting what they'd found in their search.

"My senses are much stronger now, I can feel a large gathering of the Shikon No Tama's fragments about seventeen miles to the northeast. I have a third of the jewel shards and Naraku possesses the rest of them, so he must be there. The village is half a mile to the west, I sense that Miroku, Shippo, Sango, Kirara, Kaede, and... Inu-Yasha are all there."

"Agreed, little sister. I sense an enormous source of power coming from the northeast, and several smaller auras where you say the village is."

"I don't know about the other stuff, but you're definitely right about this Naraku character being to the northeast. I haven't felt such a disgustingly evil aura since Kagato held me as his slave back before Yosho defeated me."

Glaring in the direction of where she felt her most hated enemy, Kagome spoke. "Alright everyone, we go get the others, and then we finish this fight with Naraku once and for all."

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Miroku was not happy. Many wouldn't think this to be a strange occurrence, but it was. Sentenced to death before he was even born, Miroku had learned the value of making the best out of every single moment of life, and so he rarely allowed himself to succumb to depression or sadness. Still, sometimes he couldn't help but to be worried. Kagome had been gone for well over a month now after that strange incident with one of Naraku's demons, and a week and a half ago, after Inu-Yasha went through the well to find her, the hanyou appeared in an unconscious and beaten heap at the bottom of the well, unwilling to talk of whatever happened in Kagome's world. Meanwhile, reports and rumors of entire villages being razed to the ground and hundreds of innocents being brutally slain began to pour into the village, and Miroku just knew that Naraku was behind this violence. Except for the chunk possessed by Kagome and the few slivers that Kouga used, Naraku had the entire Shikon no Tama and his power was growing greater every minute. By the time Kagome did come back, it might be too late to track down and defeat the demon.

He stared glumly at his covered hand, knowing fully well what his fate would be if Naraku wasn't destroyed soon; he would he sucked into the vortex within his palm as soon as it grew large enough, killing him and anyone he was near to at the time. Looking up, he glanced at the other residents of Kaede's hut, all of whom shared his somber mood. Shippo was in the corner, snuffling pathetically as he tried to hold the tears that had poured from his eyes for days now. It had taken this long separation for everyone to realize just how badly the young fox kit needed Kagome, just like any child needed their mother. Inu-Yasha had been silent and withdrawn since recovering from his injuries, occasionally glancing at his claws and shivering in revulsion; whatever had happened in Kagome's time must have been truly horrific. For the first time, Kaede was showing her age, moving around and acting like an old woman without the presence of the vibrant young miko-in-training to refresh her spirits. Kirara just laid about despondently all day, the oppressive mood of the others getting to her. The poor creature barely could find the energy to eat anymore. And finally there was Sango, poor, beautiful Sango. In Kagome she had found a friend, a sister, someone to help soothe her troubled heart. Now, without her friend, Sango was practically lifeless, just sitting in the hut all day and not even speaking unless spoken too. For all of their sakes, Miroku prayed that Kagome came back quickly.

Suddenly Inu-Yasha leaped to his feet, staring to the east, his fangs bared and claws extended to their fullest length. Miroku wand Kaede were about to ask what had gotten into him when they felt it too, a massive aura racing towards the village at speeds faster than any horse or runner could achieve. The three grabbed their weapons and stepped outside while Sango, Shippo, and Kirara went after them, confused but willing to follow their lead. The monk shaded his eyes and stared up into the sky, searching for the intruders. Squinting, he barely made out four small dots in the distance, possibly he size of humans. Turning to warn the others, there was a sharp boom, knocking everyone except for Inu-Yasha to the ground, and then they stared up to see an amazing and totally unexpected sight.

Hovering thirty feet in the air was Kagome, smiling and waving to them cheerfully. To her right were two boys with a passing resemblance to her, one of them with his hand around the waist of an attractive woman with spiky cyan hair. And on her left was another boy, this one attractive and strong looking although he bore no resemblance to Kagome like the other two did. He wasn't too disturbed by the fact that all of the people floating in the air had tails, but Miroku's jaw fell open as he saw the boy on the left take Kagome's hand tenderly in his own and she responded with a brief peck on the cheek. Beside the stunned monk, Inu-Yasha felt his heart break into a million pieces as he saw the small but significant show of intimacy and affection. He had lost Kagome completely, and what was worse was that he knew it was his fault. Floating down to the ground, Kagome was promptly tackled by a happily crying fox child and a laughing demon slayer. Smiling through her own happy tears, Kagome hugged her friends tightly, careful not to let her new strength cause them harm. Breaking away from the brief reunion, she smiled happily at her old friends. "Hi everybody, I take it you missed me? Oh, I have so much to tell you all!"

Kaede gave a dry chuckle, a twinkle in her eye that had been missing while Kagome was gone. "I'm sure ye do child, but firstly tell us of these changes we all see in you and of your interesting companions, especially the young man yonder that you seem to be so friendly with, eh?"

Kaede cackled loudly in merriment as Kagome blushed and Ranma muttered something about old ghouls being all the same. "Well, you see, Kaede-sensei, I'm... not human. It turns out that I'm a Saiyan, an alien.... uhmmm, well, I guess you could consider it as being like a youkai from another place. My people were destroyed long ago, but some sent their children away to be safe, suppressing their heritage and powers so that nobody would be able to recognize them as being Saiyans. I was one of those children, sent away as a baby and adopted by a human family. You understand so far?"

Numbly, Kagome's friend's nodded as the young girl continued. "Well, in that battle with the demon my Saiyan powers became unlocked which is why I could destroy it so easily. I went to see a doctor, and he found out that I have a brother, so I stayed to find him and met a lot of other Saiyans who hadn't yet learned about who and what they are. These two are Ryouga and Tenchi, my two older brothers. This lady here is Ryoko, a partial Saiyan and Tenchi's wife. And this gorgeous hunk is Ranma, my mate and husband."

With that she grabbed the pigtailed Saiyan by the collar and pulled him into a deep, fierce kiss overflowing with passion and desire. Shippo's and Miroku's eyes went wide as Kaede laughed in amusement and Sango whistled lowly in approval, then they all went silent as they remembered the fifth member of their group. Turning fearfully, they stared at Inu-Yasha's rigid form; he looked like he'd been shot through the heart with a poisoned arrow. Shaking himself out of his stupor, Inu-Yasha began to growl in rage before he glanced down at his claws and backed down. Staring morosely at the couple, the half demon managed to force words out of his mouth. "Congratulations, I hope you two will be very happy."

Kagome's mouth felt dry and tears threatened to leak out of the corners of her eyes as she looked at the defeated expression on the face of her first love. "Inu-Yasha..."

Sensing his mate's distress, Ranma wrapped a comforting arm around her and gave her an understanding look before turning to the assembly of Kagome's old friends and allies. "Listen up, we know where Naraku is, he's nearly eighteen miles to the northeast. You don't yet have the power needed to defeat him, so we're here to remedy that. Right, Kagome-chan?"

She smiled at him then, also turned to address her friends. "Yes, that's right. So everyone, get on Kirara and try to keep up. Today, Naraku meets justice."

Looking into Kagome's angry and bloodthirsty eyes, nobody cared to argue with her statement and just followed as closely as they could behind the speeding Saiyans.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Naraku smiled as he sipped delicately at a cup with a suspiciously red fluid contained within it, lounging comfortably upon a hastily constructed throne of human corpses. All around him, chaos reigned. Small huts made out of wood and thatch burst into columns of fire as the village around him burned to the ground one building at a time. Everywhere villagers fled around in a panic, only to be cut down by the hundreds of powerful demons that Naraku had created. The demon smirked in satisfaction as a young mother was sliced cleanly in two, her baby flying out of her arms and straight into the waiting jaws of another one of Naraku's servants. Each bloodcurdling scream, desperate plead for mercy, and gurgle of life spilling out of human bodies along with their blood sounded like a sweet melody to him.

A month ago, he'd been surprised and angry to learn that his latest creation had been destroyed when he'd been so certain that it would succeed and rid him of those meddling demon hunters. But his mood quickly changed when one of his insect spies brought him some interesting information; Kagome was missing. She hadn't been seen or heard from for several days after the battle. The reincarnation of Kikyo, the powerful priestess in training, the only person with enough power to threaten Naraku, was gone. Without their leader, the others just stayed in Kaede's village and didn't bother to go out looking for Shikon shards. Naraku promptly used this inactivity on their part to his advantage, luring the wolf demon Kouga into a trap. Although he escaped, Naraku did get his fragments of the Shikon jewel. With the added boost of power from just those three shards, Naraku was able to create nearly three hundred powerful youkai servants for himself. Drunk on his newfound power and using the opportunity presented by his enemies not being able to oppose him at this moment, he and his newly created army set out on a journey of pillaging and slaughter. This was the thirtieth village to fall to his forces this month, and the village of Kaede and the others would be next.

Hearing angered shouts, he turned to see a small group of village men armed with crude spears holding off the demonic hordes, trying to let some women and children escape. Naraku turned to look at one of his first creations, Kagura the Wind Sorceress, and pointed at the brave village defenders and the fleeing refugees. "Kill them."

Kagura hesitated, unsure of what to do. She couldn't disobey Naraku because he held her soul, but at the same time she hated the monster that had created her and desperately didn't want to become more like him. Maybe she could dissuade him from sending her to butcher the defenseless humans? "Master... wouldn't it be more entertaining to allow the women and children to flee as we slowly butcher the men, then send some of the lesser demons out after them and see how far they can make it before being hunted down?"

Anger flashed in Naraku's eyes, and Kagura winced as she could see that her creator had seen through her attempted deception. The baboon-skin clad demon reached out towards the jar where he kept the jeweled souls of his servants, intending to punish Kagura with pain before his hand paused and his angry scowl was replaced with his usual evil smirk. Gesturing, he called Kohaku, the possessed brother of Sango to his side. Looking back up at Kagura, his smile widened as she shifted around in discomfort. "Very well Kagura, since you think that it would be unsportsmanlike to massacre running women and children, I'll send Kohaku instead. Hmmm, perhaps I'll have him violate the younger women before killing them slowly, what do you say Kagura? I rather like that idea myself."

Kagura stared in horror at Kohaku, tears threatening to come to her eyes as she watched the soul trapped within his emotionless shell trying to scream out in denial and fear. Deep, deep down within Kohaku, his soul remained free of Naraku's taint, and it witnessed every atrocity that he committed under Naraku's control. Would such a horrible crime as the one Naraku proposed to have him commit break the last small shreds of his free will and sanity? Kagura could admit freely to herself now that as her mind wandered farther and farther from Naraku's control and she became more of an independent spirit that she was fond of the boy, and that she possibly even felt motherly towards him. Obviously Naraku knew this, and that is why he still kept her and Kohaku alive, to use her against his enemies and to use Kohaku not only against his sister but against her as well. She had to give him credit, Naraku was as cold and calculating as they came. He probably knew what she would say before she did. Bowing down, she groveled and humbled herself before the sadistic maniac, hating every second of it but willing to take on this burden if it might spare Kohaku's soul for a little longer. "No, please my lord, forgive me for my presumption. I did not mean to disobey or anger you. Please, let me carry out this duty for you."

Naraku smirked and took another sip from his cup, the raging fires of the village's remains reflected in his eyes. Ah, it truly was a glorious day to be evil. "Very good, now go and..."

The rest of his command was drowned out by the sound of a massive explosion. Naraku and Kagura stared in shock at where Kanna and about thirty-seven other demons had been standing, now just a charred crater in the ground. Everyone and everything stood still and stared in silence for what seemed to be a small eternity, and then all hell broke loose. From the sky, thousands of small energy balls the size of a large man's fist rained down, missing the remaining villagers by mere inches and hitting each of the demons directly. No matter how strong or tough they were, as soon as one of the demons was hit by those shining orbs of light they instantly disintegrated into a pile of ash. Naraku could only stare, shock and fear freezing him in place as the barrage of energy blasts ended as suddenly as it had begun. In under thirty seconds, his entire demon army had been reduced to dust. And then, she was there. Hovering in the air above him, Kagome, the only one who could hope to oppose him. Energy and power radiated off of her in waves, a hundred times stronger than it had ever been before, and Naraku felt his coal black heart seized by terror.

There was no mercy in Kagome's eyes, no compassion. This... thing didn't deserve any such considerations after all. Hate pouring from her every word, Kagome condemned Naraku for all the world to hear. Vaguely, the demon noticed Kagome's friends off in the distance, staring at her in shock and accompanied by four people he didn't know. "Naraku, I have seen your evil first hand. The death of Kikyo. The imprisonment of Inu-Yasha. Miroku's curse. The destruction of Sango's village. And more crimes than I care to count. You are a plague, a disease upon human goodness. In the name of humanity, I sentence you to death."

A sphere of blinding white energy, with streaks of crimson red, sickly green, brilliant gold, electric blue, and many other colors contained within it formed in Kagome's hand. With an almost careless throw, she tossed the energy attack straight into Naraku's chest. The demon didn't receive the clean, quick death that his minions had. Instead, the sphere entered his body and exploded inside of it, sending lances of agony surging through him as his molecules imploded one by one. Naraku couldn't fall to the ground, couldn't even clutch his chest, the pain was so great! But he could scream, and with every scream he saw the faces of all his victims as he experienced the same anguish that he'd inflicted upon them. Kagome let him suffer for nearly five minutes before she couldn't stand to watch anymore. Ranma and her brothers, along with Ryoko, came to her side, and as one they all summoned energy attacks the size of basketballs and launched them at Naraku at point blank range. The intense heat of their righteous fury didn't even leave ashes. The only thing that remained to show that the once mighty demon Naraku had stood there was an enormous piece of the Shikon no Tama.

Kagura clasped her hands over her heart as she felt her spirit freed from Naraku's taint, Kohaku's blank expression cleared and he raced to embrace his sister, and Miroku shakily removed the covering over his hand to reveal perfect, unblemished flesh. It really was true, Naraku, the source of so much pain and suffering, was finally dead. Kagome bent over and carefully picked up Naraku's piece of the Shikon jewel, staring at it in morbid fascination. So much killing, so much pain, all for such a little thing. Kagome looked around the charred remains of what had been a happy village; more victims in the battle for the Shikon jewel. So many had suffered because of the jewel... and now that could be fixed. Nodding in determination, she strode over to where Kohaku was sobbing in his sister's arms. Crouching down beside them, Kagome smiled at Sango, silently asking for her to trust her. Kagome created just the tiniest spark of ki, and then gently pushed it into Kohaku's back. The boy gasped as he felt the energy fuel his body, better then the Shikon shard ever had, not noticing when Kagome's fingers snagged the shard and pulled it out. Placing the pieces together, there was a flash of light, and then the Shikon jewel lay in her hands, whole and perfect as though it had never been shattered in the first place.

Holding the jewel closely to her chest, Kagome whispered out a small prayer, projecting her hopes and dreams into it. "May those who have lost their lives, those who have suffered, and those who have nothing left because of Naraku's evil, have what was taken from them returned. This is my wish, this is my desire. Now by the Shikon's power, let it be fulfilled."

Another flash of light, and the Shikon jewel disappeared, never to tempt others to use it's power again. Sango stared as the bodies of the villagers were surrounded by light and instantly mended themselves. As the glow faded away, the villagers sat up and looked around in puzzlement. Hearing a rustling sound behind her, Sango turned around with Kohaku still in her arms only to stare in shock. There was her father and the people from her village, the young noble that Naraku had killed and impersonated, a person in priest robes with such a resemblance to Miroku that he could only be the monk's father, Kikyo without her soul gatherers, and everybody else killed by Naraku. Kagome and the other Saiyans smiled in satisfaction as what had once been a site of destruction became a place of rejoicing.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

That night Kagome lay next to Ranma, just listening to him breathe. So much had happened to her since that day when she turned fifteen and journeyed through the well for the first time. Now her quest was over. She could finally leave the past for good and just live in her own time, able to plan and live for the future. Kagome smiled and nestled closer to her husband, looking forward to building a future with him and a future for their child. Sango and Kaede had both been ecstatic when they heard the news, and even the newly alive Kikyo had seemed somewhat excited for her. Inu-Yasha had of course been silent and Miroku made a big act out of how she wouldn't be able to bear his child now, but that had been expected and rather amusing. What she hadn't expected was Shippo's silent and aloof behavior. She would have thought that the little fox child would have been bouncing around in excitement, wanting to know when the baby would be born and if it would be a boy or a girl. Kagome wondered if Shippo was upset for some reason.

Lost in her thoughts, Kagome almost missed hearing a muffled sob. Puzzled, she carefully slid out of the bed, not noticing Ranma's eyes open just a crack and stare at her as she walked out the door. Looking around, she saw a tuft of tawny fur sticking out from behind a woodpile by the side of the hut. She crept around the heaps of chopped wood, totally silent, and eventually came upon the sight of Shippo crying helplessly as tears streamed down his face like miniature rivers. Kagome had always felt very maternal towards the young fox demon and with both the unlocking of her Saiyan nature and the knowledge of her pregnancy, those motherly instincts were multiplied a hundredfold. In a flash she was kneeling on the ground beside Shippo, her arms wrapping him into a comforting embrace. "What is it Shippo? What's wrong? You can tell me, can't you?"

Feeling the warm, familiar arms hugging him to Kagome's body, Shippo went stiff for a moment and then broke down into slightly louder sniffles, his young voice twisted in fear and pleading. "Mama..."

The girl jolted in surprise; Shippo had never called her mama or mother before, just Kagome. Her heart melted as she looked down at the little fox kit crying into her chest, not terribly shocked to discover that she really did feel like a mother towards him. Gently she rocked him back and forth, shushing him just like her mother did for her when she was upset. "That's right Shippo, I'm here..."

Hearing this only made the child wail louder, and Kagome wouldn't be surprised if he started waking some of the sleeping villagers soon. "Th-that's just it! You-you're here n-now... but you won't stay. It's o-o-ov-ver! Naraku's dead, the jewel's complete, and... and now... you're going to leave... you're going to go back to your home and never come back. Y-you're... you're gonna leave me behind..."

Kagome's eyes widened in sudden, sick comprehension. Oh, Kami-sama, that's why he's been upset. He thought he was going to lose a mother all over again. How could I have been so stupid not to realize it sooner?! Her embrace tightened as tears threatened to fall from her eyes as well. "Shhhhh, Shippo, it's alright. I'll never leave you behind, never."

"B-but what about your... your husband... Ranma... and your... your baby?"

"Shhh, little one, shhh. I love my husband and child dearly, but that doesn't mean I don't still love you, my little one. We'll figure something out, I promise."

"How about an adoption?"

Slowly the two of them looked up towards the new voice to see Ranma perched on the roof, staring down at them with compassion and just a hint of mischief in his eyes. That look made Kagome want to send Shippo off to bed and... ahem, fulfill certain marital obligations. But this was too important to put off, it would be cruel not to give Shippo at least some peace of mind as soon as possible. Ranma smiled at the fox child, a conspiratorial smirk that unknown to him reminded Shippo of his father. "Kid, take it from me, one thing that I instinctively know is to never come between a Saiyan female and her offspring, you're liable to have your hand bitten off if you do. I'm sure that we could get you through the well, and maybe with a disguise hologram or something from Washu you'd be able to blend in with other kids your age in the future. Besides, I just know that both Kagome's mother and my mom are dying for a grandchild to spoil rotten. So, what do ya' say tyke? Come live with me and Kagome and your new little brother or sister?"

Shippo's eyes went wide as Ranma's offer penetrated the upset haze around his mind, and Kagome felt happy tears flow as she looked up at her mate. Kagome knew that Shippo would say yes, and that Ranma would treat him as though the boy were his own flesh and blood. She might not have known him long, but it was times like these that she was reminded of some of the reasons why she'd fallen so hopelessly in love with her mate so quickly.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Kagome stared forlornly around the woods that she'd come to know so well one last time. It had been hard saying goodbye to Sango, Miroku, Kaede, and everybody else. Even Kouga had shown up to tell them the surprising news of his dead pack members coming back to life as good as new, only to have Kagura offer him her loyalty as penance for what she'd done to his tribe under Naraku's command. Of course there'd been a bit of an uproar with the wolf demons when it was revealed that Kagome was now married, but after watching Ranma shatter a two-ton boulder with his pinky finger Kouga had decided that it would be better to leave well enough alone. Kagome had said goodbye to him as well, feeling a few tears come to her eyes as she watched the first boy to declare his love for her run away dejected. The others were waiting for her at the well right now, but there was one last goodbye that she had to give. She didn't have to turn around to know that he was there, her nose and ears were as good as his now. "Hello, Inu-Yasha."

The half-demon stared at Kagome's back, not knowing what to say. Kikyo was alive again and her soul had been repaired. He could be with his lost love now, that was what he wanted, wasn't it? If he were honest with himself, then he'd admit that he didn't know for sure. This girl... so much like Kikyo, yet so much unlike her as well. She had stayed beside him, had helped him unselfishly, even when he hurt her feelings. She had been willing to do anything for him, but in his foolishness and confusion over Kikyo he had kept her waiting for far too long. His error was only completed when he'd allowed his anger and his demonic blood to get the best of him and he struck her. Even now it didn't seem real to him but he knew that it was; in a fit of jealous rage he'd turned his claws on the girl he'd sworn to protect. Even if she hadn't become mated to this Ranma guy, there was no way that she'd ever be able to trust him again. His heart caught in his throat and he reached his hand out for her, only to let it fall back down uselessly to his side. His voice was a hoarse whisper, laden with sorrow and regret, sorrow that he'd hurt her and regret that he hadn't seen just what a treasure he'd had until it was taken away from him by someone more deserving of it. "Kagome..."

Now she did turn to face him, tears betraying the smile she kept plastered on her face. "You don't have to say anything Inu-Yasha, I know. Don't worry, it might take some time but you'll get used to being with Kikyo again, and eventually you'll forget me."

The boy's white mane swung wildly from side to side in denial. "Never! It will never happen! How could I forget you?!"

She smiled sadly at him, fighting back the tears that threatened to break free. "Yes, you will Inu-Yasha. You will forget me with time. You will because you must if you're going to be happy, and I've never wanted anything else but to see you find happiness. Forget you ever met me Inu-Yasha, forget me and be happy."

Sadly he nodded, knowing that like so much of what she said it was both true and wise. She looked at him sadly again, and now the fresh tears that were threatening to fall did indeed overwhelm her attempts to keep them back. "Just one more thing, Inu-Yasha. I need you to promise to do one last favor for me."

"Name it. Anything."

"After we've gone through the well... I want you to destroy it."

His mouth fell open in shock, and she stepped up to him to gently caress his cheek and look into his troubled eyes. She shocked him further when she slid her hands along his neck and gently removed the prayer beads that kept him tied to her will, tossing them out into the woods. "It has to be this way, Inu-Yasha. There's no longer any reason for me to come to the past. And how will you be able to forget me and live your life if there's always the chance that I could come back or that you could come to look for me? For both of our sakes, the link between your world and my world must be severed."

He nodded his understanding, and with one last look shared between them Kagome turned away and walked to join her new family by the well. Inu-Yasha followed closely, watching from the bushes as the five Saiyans and Shippo jumped into the well, a flash of blue light letting him know that they'd pierced the barrier between times. Trudging out into the clearing, he unsheathed his sword and let it transform, staring at the well as he remembered all of the adventures he'd had with the girl who traveled through it, both in his time and in hers. With a cry of rage and anguish, he swung the massive katana for all that it was worth, splintering the well into a million pieces and leaving only a dirt filled crater where it once stood. Sheathing the sword again, he stared blankly at the devastated landscape before turning around and walking back towards the village. A single tear sped down his face as he marched on, whispering out a sorrowful farewell to the departed Saiyan miko. "Goodbye, Kagome."

End of Chapter 4

Author notes: Alright, seriously, I just want to say thank you to my reviewers. Sure, I'd like a few more reviews for this and my other stories, but practically every review I've gotten so far has been positive, some were nearly glowing with praise; thank you all so much, you guys are the ones that keep me going and your reviews give me a nice warm and fuzzy feeling inside. Of course, there will always be the hecklers, the flamers, the rude reviewers, and those who not only insult the story but me as well; you all know who you are, if you hate the story that badly then I apologize for wasting your obviously valuable time and please feel free to exercise your freedom of choice by never reading this or any of my other stories ever again. Next time on Neo-Saiyans, Vegeta and his family are desperately searching for the Saiyans that Vegeta briefly detected. Meanwhile our heroes have returned home and are beginning their own search for the other survivors just like Vaddat told them to. Their search and Vegeta's search bring the two small groups to the same place at the same time, a small district in Tokyo known as Juuban. Be sure to read the next chapter as soon as it comes out, and while you're waiting be sure to read my other fics, "A Ranma by Any Other Name" and "Batman AC", as well as my poetry dedicated to the characters of Inu-Yasha and Rurouni Kenshin. And one last reminder; review! It gives my life meaning! Ja matta ne for now, minna!

-Night Hunter MGS, a.k.a. Hunter-kun