Chapter 8 – The Kias Have It

It didn't take rocket science to figure out they were no longer in the living world. One look at the cloudless sky, the perfectly serene countryside, that mental draw of contentment, and some old geezer with Kia clothing, brought Sen to bark at Kibido-Kia, "I get my life back and you take it away again!"

"The younger generations…always jumping the gun," said the agitated Elder Kia with fists tapping behind his back. "Mind your respect young lady, or we will be happy to render your assumption true."

Sen locked her jaw and submissively bowed to the old Kia. "My apologies lord. My life for the past couple of days has been more than atypical."

"I have learned as much. However, those stand before you have experienced far greater and deserve to be here. You however…" elder Kia eyed Kibido-Kia, "Why in our name, did you think to bring Sen here!"

"But, sir" humbly objected the younger Kia with open palms.

Elder Kia's nose went to the sky as he griped, "A couple of mortals proved worthy and the next thing I know, you're handing out free passes to go!"

Goku's eyes lit up and he offered, "Like Monopoly!" He chuckled, "It's a lot of fun. Oh, Man. Bulma kicks our Z warrior butts. But I hear Vegeta is the reigning champion now. He licked her good!

The Kias and Sen looked at him dumfounded and all expelled a disbelieving, "huh?"

Goku scratched the back of his head, wondering why the Kias didn't know everything, and offered, "It's a board game. You know, pass Go - collect 200?"

Kibido-Kia looked to Elder Kia for support, prompting the old one to snap, "How the heck should I know! I was cooped up in the Z sword for the last thousand years! Where have you been!"

The young Kia grimaced apologetically and looked to Goku for details, "Tell me more of this game called Monopoly."

"Well, there's this board with make believe properties-er-land lots and…"

Sen's shoulders slumped. She resisted interrupting. What was she but nothing more than an unworthy mortal? The best thing to do was to wait her turn. Her tail slowly wrapped around her waist as fatigue took over. Crossing her legs, she sat down and propped her head in her hands. Soon Goku's words became gibberish. Without Sen knowing it, Elder Kia had seated himself next to her. He watched her profile intently; perceptive of what troubled her heart.

Sen should never had left Yamcha to check on Vegeta. What was she thinking! Why was it so important for her to put aside her happiness to police these Saiyans? None were directly involved with the Tsufuru's demise. HFIL, the Prince was just a boy. What did he know, except for what his father, King Vegeta fed him? But the Prince was not without his own concocted atrocities. Under Frieza's rule, the Saiyan was responsible for many a purging. Like his father, he was evil. Wrongs needed to be righted. Sen could not let it go. Soon her deliberations were interrupted by the senior.

"Goku." Elder Kia continued to speak while he looked the startled Sen in the eye, "You've fought, trained and spoken with many wise and skilled instructors. Who do you think would be a good one to teach this one; not only about the art of fighting but of life as well?"

Goku was caught in sentence with a gestured hand. It immediately went to the back of his head as he looked to the sky, "Hmm. Gee, let me think a sec." He looked to his fingers to help count while he mumbled, "First, there was Master Roshi, then Mr. Popo, Kami, and King Kia. Piccolo was an excellent mentor for my son. I don't think I left anyone out…Of course I had extraordinary friends and family to spar with too. Hmm. It's a hard choice when I don't know her true caliber." A spark in his eye appeared along with mischief written all over his face. He stiffened his stance, stuck out his chest and in a solemn voice he announced. "I think its best I check her out myself before I can decide."

Thinking physical examination, a sly look appeared on the elder's face, causing the blushed Kabido Kia to do a double take.

Goku put his fist up to his mouth and cleared his throat before reiterating, "I mean spar with the Saiyan warrior."

"Tsufuru," Sen affronted with clenched fists.

Goku smiled with one brow raised as he corrected, "Half Tsufuru." Then he faced the elder Kia. "So, what do you say, old Kia? Would you mind us doing a good ole fashion one-on-one?"

Tired of all this, Sen planted her fists on her hips, "Don't I have a say in this?"

Both Kias announced a firm "NO!"

"OK, then we're on," chided Goku.

"NO!" shouted both Kias. Then Kibido-Kia stepped over to his elder and whispered something in his ear. Elder Kia nodded and the young Kia offered, "Excuse us a moment." The next thing the warriors knew, the Kias vanished.

Goku followed their ki and saw them reappear in the field just out of hearing range. "All, man." He then gave the brooding Sen the once over while rubbing his chin. Out of the blue, he stated, "Yamcha is a good friend of mine."

Amazed and alarmed, Sen glanced at Goku and demanded, "How did you know?" He abandoned his chin to tap his index finger on the side of his nose. 'Blast those Saiyan's sense of smell,' she thought.

"He's a good guy. I'd hate to see him get hurt," the Earth Saiyan advised in a submissive manner. He'd hope she would get the point.

Sen's tail unwound and thrashed behind her. "I care for the human. That much I will admit. But, I suggest you mind you own business, Saiyan. What's between us is our concern, not yours."

Goku shrugged, "Thought you would like to know what circles he keeps. That's all."

"Hanging with monkeys doesn't say much for Yamcha."

Goku's eyes went back and forth as though he was mesmerized by her thrashing tail. He grunted and contrarily smirked, "So you say."

Sen's blood went to her head and she quickly returned her tail to her waist. "I don't do Oozaro, Saiyan!"

Goku smiled warmly, "That's good. I fought a few myself. It's a nasty transformation. If you want my personal opinion-"

Sen cut him off, "No, I don't."

Goku's mouth opened but he didn't get anything out. The Kias were back.

"It is agreed. You will train under King Kia."

"Hey, I thought you wanted me to choose."

"As long as she has a grudge against Saiyans we cannot risk her staying on Earth."

First angered then dismayed, Sen turned their back on them to hide her hurt. How could the Kias be so cruel? Arguments formed in her mind, but to voice them would expose her vulnerably.

A comforting but firm hand rested on her shoulder and Goku offered in a low voice near her ear, "We'll come visit." He hoped she would understand who he meant. "Besides, King Kia is a real card. You'll have lots of fun and you will definitely get stronger.

Sen spun around and glared at the Kias. "I'm as good as dead in the Afterworld."

Sympathized, Kibido-Kia was inclined to explain, and he approached her. "Sen. Because of Goku and yes, with the help of Vegeta, your Universe has a real chance for peace. We are very confident that these Saiyans have gotten the point across that no galactic tyrant will be tolerated."

"And what if Vegeta takes claim to that title. His very core was bent on ruling the galaxy."

"No, Sen. He's was bent on being the greatest warrior…that is until..." He slapped Goku on the back, "…this pure of heart got in the way."

"I mean no disrespect Kia, but have you forgotten the scores of deaths Vegeta was responsible for? Do you really believe the Prince of all Saiyans had satisfied his thirst for blood?"

Goku jumped in defensively, "Anyone can change. As for Vegeta, I've witnessed his with my very eyes and sensed it in my heart. Sen, he's no longer your enemy, he's nobody's enemy… except…" Goku wasn't sure if he should go further. He started over. "His only battle is with the Prince himself."

"Feh. So you say." With folded arms, Sen rudely turned away from them again. In a low voice she admitted defeat, "If I have no say as to where my fate lies, then send me where you will."

Goku leaned over and whispered something in Kibido-Kia's ear. He nodded approvingly then announced, "Goku will be your escort."

"Woah, cowboy!" came Elder Kia from behind. "These two are living. They can't jump around in this dimension (finger snap) just like that."

"But their not-"

"No buts, young Kia. How will Goku get back to Earth?" The elder fished something from his person.

"He can come back-" the young Kia was interrupted again.

"Quiet," snapped the old Kia as he wedged himself between Kibido-Kia and Goku. He had to look straight up to look Goku in the eye. "Here, young man." He held a ring of clear glass between two fingers.

Goku gently took hold of it. "What's this?" It seemed lost between his meatier digits.

"It's your ticket between dimensions." He winked and gestured at the Saiyan, "Well, put it on!"

"I'm not going to fuse with anything, am I?"

Agitiated, Elder Kia grabbed Goku's hand and with quick and firm accuracy, took the ring, and slide it down on Goku's pinky. "There. Now you will have no trouble traveling to Earth from the Afterworld.

Goku expelled an astonished but quiet, "Wow. Uh, thanks."

Elder Kia mischievously smiled, "Don't mention it." Then he pushed the two to get going, "Now be off with you." Having moved the warriors away from Kibido Kia, he said in a low voice to Sen, "Say your goodbye Sen then go to King Kia's planet." He looked to Goku and added, "And you…I'm still waiting for that kiss!"

Sen got a strange look on her face. Goku's hand immediately went to the back of his blushing head. His eyes closed as he made a big smile and he nervously admitted, "Oh yeah, hehe. I forgot about that."

With remarkable agility, the old Kia slyly brought the two warrior's hands together and coaxed, "Off you go, now. Mustn't keep a Kia waiting!" He backed off and waved, "Good luck, Sen. We'll be keeping an eye on you..." then he murmured under breath, "and the rest of the Saiyans."

Sen looked up to Goku and asked, "Does this mean I can see Yamcha once more?"

The Earth Saiyan winked at her and said, "You heard the Kia." He put two fingers to his head, found he was able to pinpoint Yamcha's ki and exclaimed before they disappeared, "Instant Transmission, you gotta love it!" And, in a blink of an eye they were gone.

Kibido-Kia had crossed his arms and was irritatingly tapping his foot. When Elder Kia turned around with his clenched fists behind his back, he wore a satisfied smile. He avoided the younger Kia's stern eyes. "Never mind, young Kia. One day you'll understand." When he came up next to him he ordered, "You have work to do. I want you to pay a little visit to King Yama and have him trace every Saiyan blood bearing mortal."

Kibido-Kia's eyes went wide, "Do you know what you are asking, sir?"

"Yes, yes. After yesterday's rush, this should be a walk in the park for the ogre." The old Kia glanced at his younger counterpart with knitted brow. "Think about it. While you and the others sat on your laurels, the Saiyan's abilities went unnoticed and managed to surpass even us. I don't know about you, but I don't want anymore surprises."

"What about Vegeta?"

"Ha! He made it in…or more precisely, she let him in."

"Amazing. I have yet to understand the people of Earth, especially the females."

A glint appeared in the Elder's eye at the thought of the beauties he had seen.

Kibido-Kia eyed the old Kia and joked, "Maybe its Earth's females we should keep an eye on and not the Saiyans."

Elder Kia loved the idea and smiled mischievously for an instant, and then it melted away to a brooding frown. There was more truth than jest in the young Kia's words. The blue haired woman that had found Vegeta's heart was testimony to that, or had she really? Maybe they were a little hasty in putting all their faith in that one soul to keep the prince of Saiyans at peace. He took a deep breath and started to walk back to the crystal ball with the young Kia following. He grumbled, "Don't you have somewhere to be?"

"I would prefer to wait and see the outcome of Vegeta's trial…if you have no objections, of course."

"Why not?" rolled the Elder's eyes. "But there's not much to see…just those two lying in bed." A tiny smirk graced the old Kia's lips.

"I hope that's all," mumbled Kibido-Kia

Visions of less desirable conclusions popped in their heads as they walked. Remembering what they knew about the Prince, their visions grew darker, and were apparently queued with each other. With widened eyes, they halted, faced each other, and then anxiously hurried to the ball.