Time to get those tissues! Might need them towards the end of this chapter!

Three Rivers of Remembrance

Chapter Eight

Rideria listed to Rhyne as she spoke about what happened. Her detail was somewhat greater than it had been with her father, but Rhyne could always talk to her sisters with such ease.

"It's ok." Rideria said, holing Rhyne's head in her lap. "Father will make it right."

"He'll kill him." Rhyne said. "He would have earlier if Gohan hadn't been there."

"Well, if I know Gohan, he might just beat father to it." Rideria said offhandedly.

"I don't want Tekoa's blood on their hands." Rhyne said. "Not on anyone's. Just send him back to Namek and I'll stay here and be happy with Gohan…if he still wants me."

"Of course he does." Rideria said. "That nutty Saiyan has loved you since you were born. Anyone can see that. It's always been you two against the world. He'll never turn his back on you."

Rhyne hoped with all her heart that her sister was right.

Today was certainly a difficult day for Piccolo. Never in his wildest and most horrible thoughts did he think he'd have to discuss sex with two of his daughters on the same day. Nevertheless, here he was, hovering outside the Son home, waiting for Rikola and ChiChi.

"Whatcha doing Mr. Piccolo?" Goten asked.

Piccolo jumped. He had been so deep in thought; he'd actually failed to notice the boy's approach. "Don't sneak up on me like that kid!" He yelled.

"So, whatcha doing here?" Goten repeated.

"I'm waiting for your mother!" He yelled louder. "Now, go away!"

Goten smiled. "Ok. But, mom's at Trunks' house. She might not come home for a while."

"What?" Piccolo growled. "Why didn't you say so in the first place!"

Goten laughed. "You didn't ask me!" He skipped merrily along into the house.

"That kid is too much like Goku." Piccolo grumbled and flew toward Capsule Corporation.

As he landed out front, he instantly felt the powerful fighting that was coming from the back training chamber. It was Gohan. And Vegeta.

He walked up to the door and heard incredible explosions and punches that were so loud it hurt his ears. Immediately, he jerked the chamber door open, fearing for Gohan's safety with the volatile Saiyan.

Vegeta and Gohan were in awful shape. Both men having been beaten to a pulp. Blood was running down their faces, arms, legs and backs. "I take it this session got a little…..intense." Piccolo stated.

"Close the door, Namek!" Vegeta shouted. "Unless you want to join us! I'm having a rather nice time with Kakarott's brat! He's giving me a decent workout and I don't want to lose my momentum!"

"Gohan, I think you should get cleaned up and go see Rhyne." Piccolo said. At once, Gohan dropped his Super Saiyan form and floated to the ground.

"She's ready to see me? Now?" He asked excitedly.

"Just go see her. She loves you and she needs to know that you still love her." Piccolo put his hand on Gohan's shoulder, causing him to wince in pain. "Perhaps you should see Yajarobe first for a sensu bean."

"Right." Gohan said. "Bye Vegeta!" He shouted. "Thanks for the workout!" He flew out the door, headed for his house.

"Damn you Namek!" Vegeta scowled. "Now what do I do for a training partner!"

Piccolo snickered. "Perhaps when I'm done inside, I'll need to punch something. So, I'll get back to you on that." He closed he door and headed to the main entrance of the Briefs' home.

He knocked loudly on the door, which was answered by Bulma. "Piccolo!" She said, actually smiling at him. "Come in."

"I prefer to stay outside." He said. "Please send Rikola to me."

"Sure." Bulma said. "Whatever."

She closed the door and in a few minutes Rikola came out. "Father." She said.

"Well, how did it go?" He asked his daughter.

"I'm fine." She smiled. "No baby."

He sighed in relief. "Good. Something has come up with Rhyne that I may need your help in."

Rikola could tell her father was seriously stressed. "What's happened?"

"I'll explain on the way as best I can." He told her. Rikola waved goodbye to ChiChi and Bulma and left.

Rhyne had dozed off for a while and Rideria went out front to tell Kaizer and Gowan what was going on.

Both men were relieved to know that Tekoa had not committed the ultimate violation, but still more than a little angry. "It would serve him right if Piccolo castrated him." Kaizer said. "I'd kill anyone if they touched you." He said to Rideria.

"I can take care of myself." She pointed out.

"Don't be so sure. Sometimes things happen in which there is no defense. Like with Rhyne." He told her. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Don't get too mushy on me." Rideria said. "You know I don't like it."

Kaizer smiled. "I know different."

Piccolo and Rikola landed softly. She was smiling, so Gowan felt somewhat more comfortable. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. I need to speak to Rhyne first, then we can talk." Rikola said. "Where is she?"

"She's asleep in her room." Rideria said. "Poor kid is emotionally drained."

"I'll bet." Rikola said. "I'll rip Tekoa's head off if I ever find him. I knew he wasn't right from the beginning."

Rikola gave Gowan a peck on the cheek as she passed by and he almost choked, afraid of Piccolo's reaction. But, their father remained stone faced. This had all been more than he could handle.

"Sir, what did you and the Guardian decide to do? About Tekoa?" Kaizer asked.

"He'll be sent back to Namek. I will secretly discuss his actions with his father. I'm sure there will be disciplinary action." Piccolo said. "He might even be banished from the planet. This is a serious matter."

Rikola came running out from the back. "Rhyne's gone!" She shouted.

"WHAT!" Piccolo screeched.

"She's not in any of the rooms. I checked them all." Rikola said.

"Oh God." Kaizer said. "You don't think…."

"Perhaps she went to Gohan's house." Rideria suggested. "She was wanting to see him."

Immediately, Piccolo contacted Gohan telepathically.

Gohan, is Rhyne with you?

Piccolo? No, why? What's wrong?

She's disappeared from the Lookout. I hoped she was on her way to see you.

Gohan was frantic. I'm on my way.

"She is not with Gohan." Piccolo said hurriedly. "Let's spread out in groups.. I want her found."

Rhyne was on her way to find Gohan. She needed to know that he still loved her. Needed to feel his arms around her. But, she lost her nerve. What if he didn't want to see her? Did not love her anymore?

She stopped in the same clearing they had been in earlier; sitting down on the grassy patch they were on before. She rubbed it with her hand. "Gohan.." She said out loud.

"Is that your only concern?" Tekoa asked, having followed her from the Lookout.

"Get away from me." Rhyne said, standing. "You know I'll fight you." She drew her fists back and took a fighting stance.

"I'm not going to touch you." Tekoa said. "The way I've got it figured, you'll let any male who happens to show you a little affection stick his hands in your pants. I'm the one who feels used."

"How dare you say such a thing to me." Rhyne shouted. "You are a filthy pig! You never loved me! It was all a lie to get what you wanted!"

"But I didn't get it, did I? He remarked. "All I got was one lousy hand job and now I'm going to be banished from my planet! Because of you and your childish big mouth!"

"You knew what you were doing." Rhyne said. "I didn't. And you knew that too. I…I cared for you, Tekoa." She admitted. "I trusted you. And you let me down. I'll never get over that."

"Sure you will. Just let the little Saiyan pull your pants down and you'll be just fine! Little whore!" He screamed.

That did it. Rhyne charged at Tekoa, her arms flying wildly. She got two good hits in before he found enough composure to fight back. And fight he did.

Hardly leaving the ground, they fought. Punching and kicking. Tekoa blamed her for everything, and he was going to make her pay. Rhyne was so much smaller than him; he used his enormous size to his advantage, his punches fueled by his massive size.

Rhyne was fighting on pure emotion. Therefore, she was not thinking clearly. Tekoa easily took control and had Rhyne on the ropes. Realizing that this situation was getting worse, Rhyne made a desperate effort to get away. She could feel the cuts and bruises on her body and knew that Tekoa was too angry to control himself.

She attempted to fly away, but Tekoa grabbed her foot and pulled her down. Holding her momentarily upside down, he shook her violently, then flung her to the ground, just a few feet below. Rhyne was disoriented and could not brace her fall.

Rhyne landed with a loud thump and lay still. She did not move.

Tekoa waited for a moment thinking perhaps it was a trick, then lowered himself down. He kicked Rhyne in the side, but she did not move. Finally, he jerked her arm up and turned her over.

Blood. The entire right side of her face was bloody and appeared to be caved in. She had landed head first on a sharp rock. Tekoa knelt down and felt for a pulse…ki…anything. Nothing.

Rhyne was dead.

THANKS FOR READING! PLEASE REVIEW! -----Tissue anyone? Next chapter is even worse. Get a whole box of tissues! You'll need them!