Gohan rose to the sweet aroma of fried rice. His nose guided him out of bed and into a small kitchen that looked like it could collapse at any moment. Gohan felt a pang of guilt as he gazed around the tattered home. 'She had a family...and a nice home...but then I-'

"Hello sir. It's nice to see you awake. How does your wound feel? I hope it doesn't hurt too much." Sapphire spoke as she came up from behind him.

Gohan turned towards her. His dark eyes saw just how young she was, just how little of her life she had lived. And he had changed everything for her; he had scared her innocent life with blood and death. Sapphire just smiled sweetly at him and then continued on into the kitchen. Hesitating at first Gohan followed her. She motioned to a small table and pulled out a chair for him. Gohan sat down, heavy with guilt towards her. She brought a porcelain bowl filled with rice. She put it down in front of Gohan allow with some wooden chop sticks. Gohan tried to thank her, but all he could do was nod and smile slightly. She sat down across from him, delicately eating her own rice. Neither spoke, instead they ate their food quietly, staring down at the table in front of them. Sapphire finished her meal and stood up. Gohan looked up at her hand which was open and waiting for his bowl. Looking away he handed it to her. Silently she placed them in the sink and started to clean them.

A few minutes later Sapphire came into the living room where Gohan had resigned to staring out the shattered window.

"We can leave now if you wish sir." Sapphire said smooth and sweet.

Gohan couldn't understand how she could be so nice to him after he had destroyed her life...killed her family. He sighed lightly and turned away from the window.

"Yes, I believe we should go." Gohan replied.

Sapphire nodded and ran off into another room. Gohan stood still, staring at the hallway she had disappeared into. Moments later, Sapphire returned carrying a small backpack. Gohan looked around his feet for a moment then remembered, he hadn't been carrying anything with him. Sapphire started towards the door and Gohan followed. She waited for him outside, leaning against the cracked wall. Gohan stopped just outside the doorway.

"Where is the closet town?" Gohan questioned.

Sapphire pointed ahead of them.

"About 100 or so miles that way sir."

"Good, we will go there."

Sapphire nodded in agreement, and they moved forward, following a thing dirt road.

Vegeta pouted as he followed Karukono towards a large, beautiful castle. The outer walls were a pearl white marble with magnificent towers topped with deep blue crystal orbs.

"If it wasn't for that damned Frieza, I could be living in a castle ten times the size as this!" Vegeta cursed to himself. As they neared the castle two guards could be seen in front of a large cast iron gate. They were wearing armor so Vegeta couldn't be sure, but the guards appeared to be Oni's. When the guards saw Karukono coming, they released the gate so she could pass. She walked pass seemingly without noticing the giant guards on either side. They lowered their weapons in front of Vegeta.

"He's with me." Karukono said, without even turning around.

The guards moved their weapons away and Vegeta shoved through them glowering. He stared at the golden paved road under him. Jealousy filled him, causing him to scowl intensely. Karukono opened a large wooden door at the end of the path way. They entered into a dark brick hallway. Small flames flickered patches of light onto the floor. More guards stood stiff and silent against the walls. They maneuvered through a variety of right and left turns. They approached a golden door and Karukono stopped.

"Well...here goes nothing..." Karukono sighed.

She opened the door to reveal a grand golden throne. Various creatures sped left and right carrying papers and meals. A short familiar demon scurrying about caught a glimpse of Karukono and sped over to her.

"Hey Garish. Where is my father?" Karukono asked.

Garish's eyes narrowed.

"I don't think your in a position to ask favors Ms. Karukono. The King is upset with you for bringing her here-

He glanced around the room. "Where is she?!" Garish yelped.

Karukono licked her lips. "Uh...well...I uh...don't know exactly..."

"WHAT!!??" Garish yelled.

Creatures stopped to stare. Garish coughed into his hand. He looked at Karukono intensely.

"What do you mean you don't know where she is?"

"Well...I guess she couldn't keep up with us when we were flying...but I have people looking for her. So don't worry Garish nothings going to happen."

"She's not supposed to even be here Karukono! You know that!"

"I know I know. I'll take care of it. Now where's my father?"

Garish sighed, "He's in his quarters."

"Thank you." Karukono nodded.

Karukono started off towards yet another hallway. Vegeta sighed and followed.

Goku landed on the hard rock ground and sighed. Piccolo landed next to him staring sternly.

"I can't find her Piccolo. I can't even get her with my instant transmission..."

"What do you suppose we do?"

"I don't have a clue...man...why did we bring her here! We should have just left her in the laboratory."

"I think she would have followed us anyway Goku. She wants Gohan back just as much as you."

Goku smiled, "Yeah I guess that's true huh?"

"Let's just search on foot for a while." Piccolo suggested.

Gohan arrived at the outskirts of a small town called Konoishi. He stared ahead at the dusty road and small buildings. Sapphire came up next to him.

"Is something wrong sir?" She asked so innocently.

Gohan didn't answer. Instead he turned away and sat down on a large rock. Sapphire followed, sitting next to him. For a while Gohan just stared at the ground as if he were searching for something amongst the dirt.

"How old are you Sapphire?" Gohan asked softly.

"12 and a half sir." Sapphire replied.

"What was your family like?"

"Well sir, my father was known for his strength throughout the village. He was the best fisherman around. My mother was known for her delicious cooking. We would hold picnics for the entire town. It was great fun sir. My best friend Millie was always there. We had such fun together sir."

"What was Millie like?"

"Millie was more grown up than I sir. While she looks very young, her spirit is strong. Her mother was very frail and often sick; she was forced to take care of her four younger siblings. I remember I always wanted her beautiful dark hair...it was so soft and silky..."

Gohans thoughts flashed to the frail women begging for her daughters' life. The daughter had had long dark hair... He looked over at Sapphires face. It had grown sad and older. Full of guilt and remorse he turned back to the ground. He thought over about all the things he had done, the lives he had destroyed. His eyes were wide and never blinked. Screams played in his mind, countless faces full of fear raced. Sapphire jumped up from the rock staring at him bewildered. He looked up at her with sincerity.

"Sir your eyes are red and a strange red light is glowing all around you!" Sapphire cried.

Gohan lifted his hand and stared at it. He could see his aura around him, glowing red. He felt power fill him. He felt it get stronger but was calm. The power was filling him, but the thirst for destruction was not. Other than being stronger he felt no different. He stared at his hand hard and the aura dissipated. His eyes softened back to black with a slight tint of red raging within them. Gohan smiled and stood.

"Come Sapphire we should find a new home for you here." Gohan said with a new found confidence in his voice.

Sapphire hesitated then nodded and followed him into the city.