This is part II of what I will call the BLOOD series. Part I- Blood Pact- needs to be read first. It picks up exactly where the original left off. So, please read and I hope you enjoy!

Blood Lines

Chapter One

"What are you saying?" Goku asked. "You mean you don't feel it?"

"OF COURSE I FEEL IT!" Piccolo shouted. "BUT THAT DOESN'T CHANGE ANYTHING!"

The two fighters stood just feet apart, anger erupting from the tall green Namek. "You are saying that this approaching power is stronger than either one of us. What makes you think I won't join forces with it and destroy you!"

"Because you won't…there is Gohan to consider." Goku yelled back.

Hearing the boy's name caused anger to engulf the seven-foot Namek. "You put a lot of faith on your son."

Gohan was just a small five year old. A child that did not seem to have any fear of Piccolo, but had reached out to him. Visiting the man who threatened and actually tried to kill his father just months earlier at the World Martial Arts Tournament.

The child got on Piccolo's nerves.

Mr. Piccolo…I know you and my dad don't get along. But, I was wondering if you would train me to fight. My mom won't let my dad teach me…

Piccolo had been shocked.

Yet, the thoughts of teaching the boy….to hate his father….had been too good to pass up. So they had begun. At first Gohan was sneaking off to meet Piccolo. Months went by, then Goku found out and all hell broke loose. That's when Gohan stepped in to defend Piccolo.

He would never hurt me! Gohan had shouted at his father. I just want to be a fighter like you!

No one had ever stood up for Piccolo; he had never needed a character witness. Yet, on that day, seeing the sincerity in Gohan's face made Piccolo think about his life. Piccolo had agreed to a truce, of sorts.

I won't kill you now….but we will fight. And if you happen to die, so be it. Piccolo said.

Goku agreed.

Some day…some time…there would be another battle. And this time, there would be only one winner.

Piccolo shook the thoughts from his head. He growled. "Fine. If you think you can't handle this thing on your own, I'll help. But it in no way changes things! YOU UNDERSTAND!"

"Of course I understand." Goku said. "The way I figure, this power should be arriving any time now. I'll get the others and meet you near the clearing." Goku turned and left.

Damn Piccolo thought to himself. I'm getting tired of this shit.

Raditz landed the ship atop a high mountain, trying to do as little damage to the vessel as possible.

In her room, Talia held on to her bedpost as the ship jolted her to and fro.

Earth…they were there.

Talia's heart was racing. She was so afraid..She heard Raditz footsteps coming down the corridor.

"It's time." He said as he opened the door.

Talia stood in front of him, in her torn and bloody clothing. Hair uncombed, eyes wild with dark circles. She was already very thin, but had lost more weight.

"You stay here." He told her. "You are in no condition to fight." Talia heard anger in his voice.

He blamed her.

It was all her fault.

This.

Her fault.

Raditz was about to go, then turned around and looked again at Talia. "It didn't have to be this way. But, it was your choice." Then he closed the door.

Her fault.

Goku, Krillin, Tien, Yamcha, and Gohan stood on a nearby mountain, watching as the ship landed.

Piccolo hovered alone, several feet away.

"That's a big ship." Krillin said. "There could be an army on it!"

"No. I don't think so." Tien said. "I only sense one strong power. But, I do sense someone else on the ship. So, there are at least two of them."

Piccolo was quiet, listening to them ramble. He caught the short bald man looking at him and snarled. Krillin quickly looked away.

Slowly, a door opened on the ship, stairs coming down.

Each fighter waited, breath held.

Raditz descended slowly. He immediately felt the other powers. All weak in comparison with his own.

Then he sensed what he had hoped to find.

Kakarott.

He immediately scanned the adjoining mountain and found his brother. It was unmistakable. He was a Saiyan.

Raditz smiled as he looked over at Kakarott.

"Hey…he's smiling.." Yamcha said nervously. "What the hell does that mean?"

"It means we watch our backs." Goku said.

Raditz hovered, his tail swaying behind him.

Krillin was quick to notice. "Goku! He's got a tail like you used to have! Like Gohan's!"

Piccolo had noticed it as well. It was long and slender with brown fur.

Raditz felt the eyes upon him. "Hello, brother!" He shouted.

Brother? Piccolo heard the words.

"Huh?" Goku said. "Is he talking to me?"

"I think so." Krillin answered.

Raditz came closer, still hovering. "Are these your soldiers?" He asked loudly.

"Soldiers?" Goku said.

"You have fulfilled your mission, brother? This planet has been enslaved?" Raditz asked.

Goku and the others watched this newcomer carefully, not sure what to make of this situation.

It was purely instinct on the part of Raditz, but he read their expressions clearly. He had been mistaken. Kakarott had failed, and for whatever reason seemed to now be his enemy.

Without Goku saying any words, Raditz took to the sky. "You have a choice to make now my brother." He said, hovering. "Either join me now, and together we will rule this planet."

"Or?" Goku asked.

"Die." Raditz prepared a blast.

THANKS FOR READING AND PLEASE REVIEW!